Hall of Famer Jana Novotna, the 1998 Wimbledon champion whose impassioned vie for that title left her forever endeared in the hearts and minds of fans around the world, passed away on November 19 at age 49, following a courageous battle with cancer.

In addition to her exalted Wimbledon title, Jana etched her place in tennis history with magnificent doubles play, winning 16 of her 17 major titles in doubles competition. She was most successful on the fast grass at Wimbledon, winning the 1989, 1990, 1995, and 1998 titles, and she won the US Open and the French Open titles three times each. Jana brought her talent and determination to the court to create multiple succcessful doubles pairings, winning majors and earned top accolades alongside partners including Helena Sukova, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Gigi Fernandez, Martina Hingis, and Lindsay Davenport, among others. 

Novotna was a passionate representative of the Czech Republic. She was a member of the Czech Republic's 1988 Championship Fed Cup team. She represented her nation in Olympic competition in 1988, 1992, and 1996. She and Suková won the Silver Medal in doubles in Atlanta and Seoul, and in singles play, Novotná won a Bronze Medal at Atlanta. In recognition of her accomplished career, Jana recieved tennis' ultimate honor in 2005, when she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Off the court, Jana was highly regarded for her strong character, warm personality, and kind spirit. She will be missed tremendously by friends around the world in the tennis community. 

Celebrate Jana's incredible life with a gift in her honor to the International Tennis Hall of Fame

As Jana's many friends and fans around the world mourn her loss and seek ways to pay tribute to her life well lived, the WTA has encouraged that gifts in Jana's memory may be made to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting tennis' great history and celebrating it's greatest champions.