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Tennis star Elena Baltacha dies of liver cancer, aged 30
Former British tennis number one Elena Baltacha has died of liver cancer, aged 30, her family have announced.
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Martina Navratilova: Elena Baltacha 'fought to the end'
Nine-time winner of Wimbledon Martina Navratilova, who also previously suffered from cancer, has paid tribute to Elena Baltacha, saying she fought "to the end" but "sometimes cancer wins".
She said: "Elena Baltacha was a great fighter on the tennis court.
"We as tennis players always worry about our bodies, trying to keep injuries at bay. But cancer - you can't prevent that and you can't rehab it either and no matter how much of a fighter you are, sometimes cancer wins.
"Elena was taken from the world much too soon - fighting to the end and we will miss her."
Tennis world pays tribute to 'our lovely Bally'
The tennis world, including British number three Heather Watson, has paid tribute to the "lovely" Elena Baltacha, who died from liver cancer aged 30.
Watson, former US tennis star Billie Jean King and ex-men's head coach at the Lawn Tennis Association Paul Annacone tweeted:
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Ed Miliband: 'Terribly sad news about Elena Baltacha'
Labour leader Ed Miliband has paid tribute to Elena Baltacha, who died from liver cancer aged 30.
UK sports stars pay tribute to Baltacha's 'fighting spirit'
Former British athletes have paid tribute to tennis star Elena Baltacha, who died of liver cancer aged 30.
Ex-tennis star Annabel Croft, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and former swimmer Sharron Davies tweeted:
British number one pays tribute to Elena Baltacha
The current British number one women's tennis player Laura Robson has tweeted a short tribute to her former teammate Elena Baltacha.
'Rally for Bally' to be held in honour of tennis star
An all-star line up of fundraising exhibition matches for a Rally Against Cancer charity even will take place next month in honour of British tennis star Elena Baltacha.
Her childhood friend Andy Murray had committed to play in the event along with the likes of Martina Navratilova, and Tim Henman, and the money raised will go to the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Her agent and friend Eleanor Preston said the fundraiser next month will be an opportunity to celebrate everything the tennis star achieved.
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Elena Baltacha: 'A shining light at heart of British tennis'
British tennis has lost "a shining light" following the death of former women's number one Elena Baltacha at the age of 30, the Lawn Tennis Association has said.
The sports star was diagnosed with the illness in January, just two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-time coach Nino Severino.
The Lawn Tennis Association's head of women's tennis Iain Bates said in a statement: "Today we have lost a shining light from the heart of British tennis - a true role model, a great competitor and a wonderful friend.
We have so many special memories to cherish, but this leaves a gaping hole for everybody in both British and women's tennis, and words simply cannot express how saddened we are by this news."
Elena Baltacha dies of liver cancer
Former British tennis number one Elena Baltacha has died of liver cancer, aged 30, her family have announced.
Baltacha was British number one for nearly three years, only retired from the sport in 2013 and was diagnosed with a rare liver condition when she was 19.
She managed the condition throughout her career with medication and regular blood tests and went on to win 11 singles titles.