“BALLY” ELENA BALTACHA PASSES AWAY @ 30 YEARS OLD , BRITISH TENNIS FORMER #1 WAS LOVED BY ALL

Written by: Staff on 28th May 2014

"BALLY" ELENA BALTACHA PASSES AWAY @ 30 YEARS OLD , BRITISH TENNIS FORMER #1 WAS LOVED BY ALL |

Photos by Christine Walsh.

Editors Note : We are stunned and greatly saddened. We’ve tried to write about Dear Bally but we are in shock. . Gone at 30 years old. We can’t process this. We loved Bally. She supported our site when it was a start up. We will help keep her memory alive and write proper tributes when we can gather our thoughts. Sorry if all we did was list the facts from the press release , but it’s the best we can do at this time. Condolences to Dear Nino and Eleanor and Faye.

Elena Baltacha loses battle against liver cancer – Sunday 4th May 2014

On behalf of Nino Severino and the family of Elena Baltacha

It is with deepest sadness that we bring you the following news:

Elena Baltacha died in the early hours of Sunday 4th May of liver cancer. She was 30 years old.

Elena, who always went by her nickname Bally, was diagnosed with liver cancer in mid-January 2014, two months after retiring from professional tennis and just a few weeks after marrying Nino Severino, her long-time coach and partner. Despite a determined battle against the disease, she passed away peacefully at home with her husband Nino by her side and surrounded by friends and family.

Statement from Nino Severino, Elena’s husband:

“We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally. She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness.”

Before being struck down with illness, Elena put her heart and soul into the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, which helps children from all backgrounds to learn and play tennis. All those involved in running the Academy have pledged to carry on the work that she started.

The Rally Against Cancer – Rally For Bally will now be held in her memory on 15th June to raise funds jointly for Royal Marsden national cancer charity and Elena Baltacha Foundation, the charity attached to the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis. Andy Murray, Ross Hutchins, Martina Navratilova, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski Jamie Murray, Jonny Marray, Anne Keothavong and Heather Watson are some of the names who will play in mixed doubles exhibition matches at the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club, the Aegon Classic in Birmingham and the Aegon International in Eastbourne.

Bally and girls from the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis.

www.justgiving.com/rallyforbally

#Rally4Bally

On a personal note, it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with Bally and be her friend. We will miss her more than words can express.( The Emilia Group )

Timeline / Bio regarding big moments in her short life :

Elena Baltacha was born 14 August 1983 and died Sunday 4th May 2014

She represented Great Britain for 11 years in the international team competition Fed Cup

She was a proud member of Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games, playing singles and doubles

She spent 132 weeks as British No.1 in singles between Dec 2009 – June 2012

Her highest singles ranking was 49, achieved in September 2010

She won 11 ITF Pro Circuit singles titles

In Grand Slams, she reached the 3rd round of Wimbledon in 2002 and competed as recently as the 2013 Championships

She reached the 3rd round of the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010

Her last competitive tournament was the 2013 US Open

She is survived by her husband Nino (married 8th December 2013)

Topics: 10sballs, Bally, Elena Baltacha, Nino Severino, Rally For Bally, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

May 4, 2014 at 5:25 pm

“BALLY” ELENA BALTACHA PASSES AWAY @ 30 YEARS OLD , BRITISH TENNIS FORMER #1 WAS LOVED BY ALL – http://t.co/WxwgpeDPoW #Bally #Baltacha
iotennistn says:

May 5, 2014 at 9:22 am

As my mother put it, your health is all you need. A life taken too early! http://t.co/3qyb5DY9og
10sBalls_com says:

May 28, 2014 at 8:09 pm

“BALLY” ELENA BALTACHA PASSES AWAY @ 30 YEARS OLD , BRITISH TENNIS FORMER #1 WAS LOVED BY ALL – http://t.co/WxwgpeDPoW #Rally4Bally #tennis