Elena Baltacha is dead at 30, her boyfriend, who is "broken beyond words," confirmed today. Former British tennis champ reportedly dies weeks after tying the knot with current boyfriend and long-term coach Nino Severino, Daily Mail reported Monday.
According to several reports, Elena Baltacha passed away less than two months upon her big revelation that she has been diagnosed with liver cancer, and just a few weeks following her marriage with Severino.
After breaking news of her condition in March, Elena eve vowed that she is to fight her liver cancer "with everything I have."
The Independent reports the tennis champ lost her battle against the disease early Sunday morning, and her boyfriend/husband Severino said he was "heartbroken beyond words."
"It is with deepest sadness that we bring you the following news - Elena Baltacha died in the early hours of Sunday 4 May of liver cancer. She was 30 years old," a statement released on behalf of her family read. "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."
Elena's husband added: "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."
Baltacha was born in the Ukraine; however, she was raised in Scotland and always considered herself British.
Daily Mail reports Elena Baltacha was actually diagnosed with chronic liver condition while she wa sstill in her teenage years.
Her condition was identified as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and it reportedly hampered her progress since debuting in 1997.
Throughout her career, she managed her condition with regular blood tests and a daily dose of ten pills.
Despite her dangerous condition, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer, Baltacha managed to snag 11 single titles, with her best Grand Slam finish coming in the third round of Wimbledon in 2002.
Following the confirmation that the former tennis champ has passed away, the Lawn Tennis Association said "a gaping hole" has been left in British tennis.
Iain Bates, head of women's tennis, said "Today 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," Bates added. "All our thoughts are with Nino and the rest of Elena's family. We will miss you Bal."
Many others including Wimbledon legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova also echoed their sympathy and condolences to Baltacha, her husband and family.
"Saddened to hear about Elena Baltacha's passing. My fondest memory with Bally was sharing a wonderful chat when we met the Queen at Wimbledon," King wrote on Twitter.
"Elena Baltacha was a great fighter on the tennis court," Navratilova, who also battled against cancer, said. "We as tennis players always worry about our bodies, trying to keep injuries at bay. But cancer - you can't prevent that and you can't rehab it either and no matter how much of a fighter you are, sometimes cancer wins. Elena was taken from the world much too soon - fighting to the end and we will miss her."
