Novotna, who beat France's Nathalie Tauziat to win Wimbledon in 1998, had been battling cancer for several years.
A former world number one in doubles and number two in singles, Novotna had celebrated her 49th birthday last month.
But the WTA announced in a statement: "It is with deep sadness that the WTA announces the passing on Sunday, November 19, of Jana Novotna, the former WTA World No.1 doubles and No.2 singles champion. After a long battle with cancer, Jana died peacefully, surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic, aged 49."
WHO WAS JANA NOVOTNA?
"Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005, her career successes made Jana Novotna an inspiration to those who knew her and to many up and coming WTA players on the professional women’s tennis circuit. In more recent years, she made the transition into professional coaching."
EX-WIMBLEDON tennis champ Jana Novotna has died at the age of 49.The Czech sports star, who won Wimbledon in 1998, passed away in her home country, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) said today.The WTA said on its website: "After a long battle with cancer, Jana died peacefully, surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic." She lost both 1993 and 1997 Wimbledon finals before finally winning in London when she beat Nathalie Tauziat in 1998.Novotna won the hearts of tennis fans around the world when she burst into tears after losing to German great Steffi Graf in 1993 and was consoled by the Duchess of Kent.Novotna said the Duchess had told her "she would do it" when she went to collect her runner-up trophy.She was renowned for her aggressive serve and volley game and achieved a career-high singles ranking of number two.Novotna also won four Wimbledon doubles titles with compatriot Helena Sukova in 1989 and 1990, with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1995 and with Hingis in 1998.Wearing her distinctive headband, she won doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments.Born on October 2, 1968, Novotna won a total of 24 singles tournaments and 76 doubles tournaments in her career that spanned from 1987 to 1999.She also won the Fed Cup with the former Czechoslovakia in 1988.WTA CEO Steve Simon said: "Jana was an inspiration both on and off court to anyone who had the opportunity to know her."Her star will always shine brightly in the history of the WTA."Our condolences and our thoughts are with Jana’s family." We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team?
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