May 6, 2014
Ernesto McConnell
Reporter
Headlines
International tennis star Elena Baltacha has passed away at age 30. Baltacha was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis at age 19; the disease that would eventually take her life. She turned pro in 1997, and was the number one British tennis player for 132 weeks between December 2009 and June 2012. Baltacha’s career highlights include 11 international Tennis Federation Pro Circuit titles, as well as a reaching the third round of the 2002 Wimbledon appearance. Her final professional event was in the 2013 U.S. Open; after being defeated in pre-tournament qualifying play, Baltacha retired two months later. Part of a statement released by Baltacha’s husband and coach, Nino Severino, read “We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented a determined Bally.”
