BALTACHA LEGACY LIVES ON

Written by: Staff on 22nd December 2014

BALTACHA LEGACY LIVES ON |

Baltacha Legacy Lives On

The death of long-time British no.1 Elena Baltacha from liver cancer in May was one of the saddest news items of the 2014 tennis year but her former coach and husband Nino Severino is determined his wife’s legacy will live long.

Elena Baltacha.

Severino is now working tirelessly to run the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, in her hometown of Ipswich, Suffolk.

“Everything that Bally put in place we have carried on with,” said Severino who married Baltacha just over a year ago. “We have a large schools network we built up over four years and take a roadshow into schools that would not normally have much focus on tennis.”

Elena Baltacha of Great Britain celebrates a point against Jamie Hampton of the United States during their Women’s Singles first round match of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 17 January 2011. Baltacha beat Hampton. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Baltacha achieved her dream of playing in the 2012 Olympics in London but played her last competitive match against Michelle Larcher de Brito in the final round of the 2013 US Open qualifying. Then she focused on coaching those from less privileged backgrounds and founded the academy.

Severino added: “Tennis can be a bit narrow in its scope and seen as a bit middle class, so it’s important to get to those areas where people aren’t so fortunate.”

Baltacha and Severino first met when he worked as a specialist in movement, fitness and diet at the academy where she was based in Hazelwood, North London.

“I didn’t claim to be a pure tennis coach then, although I have subsequently learned a hell of a lot on the job,” he said. “My background is more in the overall fitness side of things, getting the whole set-up right — growing up I had never hit a backhand or a forehand.

Elena Baltacha of Great Britain reacts as she loses a point to Jamie Hampton of the United States during their Women’s Singles first round match of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on 17 January 2011. Baltacha beat Hampton. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

10sballs.com Editors Notes : Elena “BALLY” was the first pro tennis player to wear our patch. We loved Elena and to this day we support her efforts. The award will be given to Nino Severino during the grass court season. Stay posted for updates. Prior recipients of the “Gussy” were Henry Talbert a great friend of American tennis for 40 years with the USTA. Our second award went to the great Gardnar Mulloy on his 100th birthday. And Bally will be the third member of the exclusive list.

Content via Bob Larson tennis news.

Topics: Bally, Elena Baltacha, Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, Nino Severino, Tennis News

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December 22, 2014 at 12:07 pm

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