WOA pays tribute to Olympian tennis player Elena Baltacha

5 | 5 | 2014

The WOA is saddened to hear of the passing of former British number one tennis player, Elena Baltacha, who has died after a battle with liver cancer.

Baltacha, who was just 30, was part of Team GB at London 2012 and she was a torchbearer in the build-up to the Games.

She played 39 times for Great Britain in the Fed Cup and was British number one for 132 weeks from December 2009 to June 2012. Baltacha won 11 International Tennis Federation Titles and broke into the world's top 50 in 2010.

Joël Bouzou, WOA President, said:

"This is a tragic loss for everybody involved in sport and our thoughts are with Elena's family and friends. Elena's Olympian spirit will live long in the memory and her fighting qualities will make her a role model to many for years to come."

In 2010, Baltacha launched the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, which helps children from all backgrounds to learn and play tennis.

The previously announced Rally For Bally - a fundraiser due to be played in June - will still go ahead, now in her memory. Proceeds will go to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and The Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis.

To make a donation, go to http://www.justgiving.com/rallyforbally