The 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has passed away, aged 49, after a long battle with cancer.
Novotna, a traditional serve and volley player, was one of many talents to emerge from the Czech Republic after Martina Navratilova and Hana Mandlikova.
She was originally known as a brilliant doubles player, striking a decent partnership with Helena Sukova, and eventually winning every doubles Grand Slam title.
It was Wimbledon though where her love affair with the game and the masses came under the spotlight. In the 1993 final against Steffi Graf, she was 4-1 up in the final set and cruising. The gold dish was in her grasp. Then, the occasion possibly got the better of her and Graf would reel off 5 games in a row to shatter her dreams. Novotna broke down in tears on Centre Court and was comforted by the Duchess of Kent. It was painful viewing.
So it's poignant now that there was a redemption song for Novotna. After losing the 1997 Wimbledon decider to Martina Hingis, she dethroned Hingis in the 1998 semi final en route to a straight sets victory over Nathalie Tauziat. Finally, she was Wimbledon champion.
The tears returned, but this time they were of joy.
May she rest in peace.
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