Elena “BALLY” Baltacha Announces She Has Cancer

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 10th March 2014

Elena "BALLY" Baltacha Announces She Has Cancer

epa03138773 Elena Baltacha of Great Britain returns a shot during her match against Julia Goerges of Germany at the BNP Paribas Open tennis in Indian Wells, California, USA 09 March 2012. Goerges won the match 6-3, 6-2. EPA/PAUL BUCK |

Elena Baltacha’s tennis career was for the most part a battle against superior forces such as illness, injury and opposing players she admitted were far more talented. Yet she made her mark by becoming Britain’s first woman to figure in the world’s top 50 since Anne Hobbs 24 years previously. Now she faces a far more serious fight after being diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the liver.

Baltacha, a 16 year veteran of professional tennis who finally decided to retire last November, used Twitter to make her illness common knowledge when she said: “I have recently been diagnosed with cancer of the liver. I’m currently undergoing treatment and fighting this illness with everything I have.”

And immediately the tennis family rallied in support behind the 30 year-old who was born in the Ukraine but moved to Britain at the age of four when her professional football-playing father Sergei from transferred from Dynamo Kiev to Ipswich Town.

“The WTA family sends its thoughts and prayers to Elena and her husband Nino at this difficult time,” Stacey Allaster, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the WTA, said of the announcement. “Throughout her tennis career, Elena was admired for her friendly personality, her passion, energy and tenacity. We know she will use these qualities to fight this illness and we’ll support her along this process in any way we can.”

Long-time British no.1 and world no.5 Jo Durie spent ten years as a coach, mentor and confidante to Baltacha; offering guidance and counsel not just in hitting a tennis ball but also coping with the cruel hand in terms of health that fate had dealt the right-hander.

Durie accompanied a still teenaged Baltacha to hospital 12 years ago for many of the tests that eventually resulted in doctors informing her she was suffering from the chronic liver condition primary sclerosing cholangitis. Then throughout Baltacha‘s playing career, repeatedly interrupted by illness and injury, Durie watched as prescriptions of more than ten tablets were ingested on a daily basis.

“Some people were amazed she even managed to maintain a tennis career on such levels of medication but it is testament to her refusal to buckle that she managed to rise into the world’s top 50,” said Durie. “Frankly I have never known anyone with such an unconquerable will and spirit as Bally and if anyone can beat this horrible illness then it’s her.”

“She constantly battled health issues,” said Durie. “Apart from the liver issue there were lots of problems with tonsillitis. Then she suffered a prolapsed disc in her back and there were bone-spur issues with both ankles. But Bally is as tough as old boots and she always took the view she could fight back. Plus her new husband Nino (Severino) is one of the most positive people you could ever meet.

“I remember being told about the scans of her liver and learning it was as scarred as that of an alcoholic. She was always aware of the problems she faced but rarely let them get her down.”

Since retiring from competitive tennis, she has co-running the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis in her hometown of Ipswich with her husband and former coach Severino. She is understood to currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

Judy Murray, Britain’s Fed Cup captain and another close confidante of Baltacha, is currently attending the BNP Paribas Open in California’s Indian Wells. On receiving the news, Murray said: “Obviously this is a tough time for Bally, Nino and her family but she is a such a determined, upbeat person and everyone around her is staying positive as well. I know she’ll be really grateful for all the support that she’s getting.”

Baltacha won 16 main draw singles matches at Grand Slams, eleven lesser titles on the ITF circuit, and beat three top ten players including current world no.2 Li Na at Indian Wells three years ago when she saved three match points. She equaled Virginia Wade’s record of representing Britain for twelve straight years in the Fed Cup, and played in the London Olympics.

Editors note: Bally is one of our special tennis friends. She was the first player we did a patch deal with. We are all sending her our best wishes and sure hope she wins the biggest ” challenge match ” of her life.

Topics: 10sballs, BNP Paribas Open, Cancer, Elena Baltacha, Indian Wells, Judy Murray, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta