TRIBUTE FOR BALLY CONTINUES COMPILED BY FRANCISCO RESENDIZ

Written by: on 30th May 2014
elena b
TRIBUTE FOR BALLY CONTINUES COMPILED BY FRANCISCO RESENDIZ  |

Photo by cameraworks USA

 

Elena Baltacha continues to be lauded as “one of the shining lights of British women’s tennis of recent generations”. Tributes continue to roll in for the former British No. 1 who died from liver cancer at the age of 30 earlier this week.

 

10sBalls.com wanted to take a moment to share with our readers some of those memories of Bally, who won 11 singles titles during a 16-year career and reached the third round of Wimbledon in 2002, as well as the third round at Australian and French Opens. But there is so much more to Bally than numbers or statistics as 10sBalls.com chooses to remember what an incredible person, and fighter and inspiration she was world-wide.

 

Check back to 10sBalls.com for more information on the already planned Rally For Bally event in Bally’s memory. According to one report, Andy Murray, Tim Henman Greg Rusedski, Jamie Murray, Anne Keothavong, Heather Watson and Martina Navratilova are set to play in the event on Sunday, June 15, with the money raised going to the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

 

For more information and to donate, go here: http://www.justgiving.com/RallyForBally. And remember to always hashtag: #Rally4Bally.

 

Helping organize Rally For Ball is Hutchins, the former British Davis Cup player who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2012 but is now in remission. He said: “It’s incredibly sad news but we’ll remember her for a long time.”

 

Other thoughts captured on in news outlets and on social media included:

 

Judy Murray, British Fed Cup Captain: (Baltacha’s) work ethic and competitive spirit are second to none. If we could bottle those qualities, we would have many more top players. I don’t have the words to say what an incredible person Bally was, how loved she was or what an inspiration she will continue to be to everyone who met her. This is an awful loss for tennis, for all of us who knew and loved her and, most of all, for Nino and her family. My thoughts are, of course, with them. She was one in a million and an absolute gem.”

 

British No. 1 Andy Murray: “When you get that sort of news you realize that it [tennis] isn’t everything. I mean, really it isn’t. Last year with Ross [Hutchins, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013], that was tough. Thankfully he managed to come through it, but then over the last couple of weeks it’s been the same sort of thing. She was a great person and she had a great character.”

 

Andy’s brother Jamie Murray: “It’s a terrible tragedy. It is very difficult for Nino and all her family. It happened so fast. Four months ago, she was getting married and looking forward to the rest of her life and now all that’s gone. She was a great person, full stop, regardless of what she did on the tennis court and I think everyone that knew her will remember her very fondly. I’m sure her memory will live on.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by cameraworks USA

 

Sven Groeneveld via Facebook: “R.I.P. To one of the Greatest competitors Tennis has seen! My condolences to the entire family.”

 

Serena Williams @serenawilliams: “My deepest prayers, thoughts, concern and love goes out to Elena Baltacha’s family. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Revelations 21:4”

 

Maria Sharapova @mariasharapova: “What sad news to wake up to today. My thoughts and prayers are with Elena’s family on their tragic loss.’

 

Colin Fleming @Colin_Fleming: “Still reflecting on Bally passing away. She was a truly inspirational person and her story must continue to inspire us each and every day…

 

Anne Keothavong @annekeothavong: “Words cannot express how much I’ll miss Bally. I feel so lucky to have shared so much with her and to have had her as my friend.”

 

Martina Navratilova @Martina “So sad to hear of Elena Baltacha’s passing. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones, gone much, much too soon.”

 

Rafael Nadal @rafaelnadal: “Very sad to hear that Elena Baltacha passed away. RIP.”

 

@britishtennis: “The whole of British tennis is deeply saddened to hear about the death of Elena Baltacha. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.”

 

WTA Chairman Stacey Allaster: “Elena’s journey was never an easy one and yet

she consistently showed her strength, good humor and indomitable spirit. Bally was such a caring human being, always putting others before herself, and a warm, fun person. A shining example of her commitment to looking out for the welfare of others is the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, which she established so that children from disadvantaged backgrounds could learn to play the game she loved so dearly.”

 

Current British No. 1, Laura Robson @laurarobson5: “Impossibly sad. Forever a teammate. Sweet dreams Bally.”

 

Lisa Raymond @lisaraymond73: “So incredibly sad to read of Elena Baltacha’s passing. A life much too young to be taken. Thoughts are with her family.#Rally4Bally.”

 

Current British No. 3, Heather Watson @heatherwatson92: “We’ve lost our lovely Bally, too young. Rest in peace. My thoughts are with Nino and all of her family xx.”

 

Anna Tatishvilli @ankatati: “R.I.P. @ElenaBaltacha..Im so saddened and shocked:( you were a true fighter and an amazing person! Rest in peace angel ♥.”

 

Paul Annacone @paul_annacone: “Absolutely heartbreaking news to hear about Elena Baltacha. Bally, you will be sorely missed.”

 

Anna Ivanovic @annaivanovic: “So sad to hear about Elena. Tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with family… #RIPBally”

 

Marion Bartoli @bartoli_marion: “I have no words to describe my sadness. RIP ElenaBaltacha.”

 

Sloane Stephens @sloanetweets: “The loss of Elena Baltacha is sad. Cancer is a horrible disease. RIP Elena.”

 

Former British Fed Cup coach Iain Bates: “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.”

 

Bethanie Mattek-Sands @bmattek: “Saddened and humbled this afternoon to hear that we lost a member of the @WTA family. Elena Baltacha will truly be missed!!”

 

Vania King @queen_v21: “Shocked and sobered by the passing of fellow tennis player Elena Baltacha..this world is senseless but she is above that now..rest in peace.”

 

Caroline Wozniacki @carowozniaki: “So sad to hear about Elena Baltacha! RIP! Thoughts go out to her family and loved ones!”

 

Billie Jean King @billiejeanking: “Saddened to hear about Elena Baltacha’s passing. My fondest memory w/Bally was sharing a wonderful chat when we met the Queen at @Wimbledon.”

 

Svetlana Kuznetsova @svetlanak27: “I have nothing to say, so empty.. RIP Elena… Not fair …my thoughts goes to her family .. She was such a beautiful person ..”

 

Petr Kvitova @petra_kvitova: “Just woke up in Madrid. So sad to hear the news about Elena Baltacha :( RIP.”

 

Photo by Christine Walsh

Chris Evert @chrissievert: “Rest in Peace, beautiful Elena Baltacha…No words…Thoughts and prayers…”

 

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond: “With Elena Baltacha’s sad loss at the age of 30, Scotland has lost one our most well-loved sports stars. Despite suffering from illness since she was a teenager, Elena refused to let this stand in the way of her tennis ambitions and was British number one for three years. “She was as much a role model for young people off the court as she was a dedicated and superb talent on it.”

 

Baltacha’s agent and friend Eleanor Preston: “It was part of Bally’s emotional make-up to be very stoic, she never once asked why me or why is this happening. She was incredibly strong and determined and that was who she was. She went through it all without the slightest bit of self-pity or ego.”

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