Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has died, aged 49

Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has died at the age of 49.

A statement from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed that Novotna passed away after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic. Novotna appeared in the Wimbledon’s singles final three times and became a Wimbledon champion when defeating Nathalie Tauziat in the final 1998. She won 24 singles titles in her career as well as winning 16 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles and three Olympic medals. Novotna was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005. Steve Simon, CEO of the WTA, 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."