Jana Novotna, who won the hearts of the tennis world when she sobbed on the shoulder of a member of the British royal family after a heartbreaking loss in the Wimbledon final, died at age 49.The WTA announced Novotna’s death on Monday, saying she died Sunday in her native Czech Republic following a long battle with cancer.Novotna died ‘‘peacefully, surrounded by her family,’’ the women’s tennis body said.Her family confirmed her death to the Czech Republic’s CTK news agency.Martina Navratilova, the tennis great who was also born in what was then Czechoslovakia, tweeted: ‘‘The tennis world is so sad about the passing of Jana Novotna.I am gutted and beyond words.Jana was a true friend and an amazing woman.’’ Novotna won her only Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 1998, eventually triumphing after two losses in the final at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in 1993 and 1997.She also lost in the 1991 Australian Open final.While she finally captured the Grand Slam singles title she longed for in 1998, she won over the Wimbledon crowd five years earlier after wasting a big lead in the decisive set in a tough three-set loss to Steffi Graf.Unable to hide her disappointment, Novotna cried on the shoulder of Britain’s Duchess of Kent at the prize-giving ceremony and was gently comforted by the royal, who told her: ‘‘I know you will win it one day, don’t worry.’’ Oklahoma senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Baker Mayfield will not start his final regular-season game Saturday at home against West Virginia after making a lewd gesture against Kansas.Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley also stripped Mayfield of his captain status for the game.Kansas team captains did not shake hands with Mayfield before Saturday’s game.After getting slighted, Mayfield jawed with the Jayhawks and some fans seated behind the Oklahoma bench.He also grabbed his crotch and cursed the Kansas sideline from his bench during the third quarter of the Sooners’ 41-3 win.Mayfield apologized afterward.Kansas coach David Beaty also apologized for his team captains not shaking hands with Mayfield, saying the move made during the pregame coin toss was unacceptable . . .Michigan quarterback Brandon Peters, in the concussion protocol, could be cleared to practice without contact as soon as Wednesday.The Wolverines host No.8 Ohio State on Saturday, hoping to pull off an upset that would knock their rival out of contention for the College Football Playoff.Peters was carted off the field after taking a hit Saturday in a loss at No.5 Wisconsin . . .South Alabama coach Joey Jones is resigning, effective after the season finale Dec.2 against New Mexico State.Jones is the only coach in the history of a program that fielded its first team in 2009 . . .Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus will be honored with a statue at Illinois, where he played three seasons and helped the Illini win the 1964 Rose Bowl.The bronze statue will join a statue of another former Illini star and Hall of Famer, Red

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