Elena Sergeevna Baltacha (14 August 1983 – 4 May 2014) was a British professional tennis player. Being a four-time winner of the Aegon Award, she was also a long-term British No. 1, a position she held intermittently from 2002 to 2012.[1] However, due to her absence from competition, due to knee surgery,[2] she dropped down the world rankings and at the time of her retirement, on 18 November 2013, she was ranked as the world No. 221 and British No. 6. Her career high ranking of World No. 49 was achieved in September 2010.[3]
Over the course of her career she won eleven ITF singles titles (five $25,000, two $50,000, two $75,000 and two $100,000) and four ITF doubles titles (all $25,000). She was also a runner-up in three ITF events in singles and four in doubles.
In 2010, Baltacha had victories over top 10 players, including two victories over Li Na and one against Francesca Schiavone, who at the time was the reigning French Open champion. In 2011 Baltacha won her most highly ranked tournament on the ITF tour, winning the 2011 Aegon Nottingham Challenge.
Baltacha died from liver cancer on 4 May 2014, aged 30. :(
One of Bally’s proudest moments, for sure. She was a dedicated member of GB’s Fed Cup team, and participation in the 2012 Olympics for GB meant so much to her.
The 5th and final day of the EBAT official trip to The National Tennis Training Centre in Scotland, it ended with a very special occasion, Elena was being made an honouree Doctor at the University of the West of Scotland. Elena and our two young players were given VIP status and it was an opportunity for Sofiya and Justice to show everyone that the academy prides itself on not only developing high quality tennis players but also well rounded and very polite children, they did not let any of us down.
After the very special ceremony the team enjoyed a VIP lunch with all the dignitaries, again the girls showed what it means to be an EBAT girl, politeness and the ability to feel confidence in scenarios like this, the dignitaries were fantastic helping the girls to relax, even at one point setting up a moch autograph session.
The day ended with a great social to the cinema and another evening of hospitality from the Baltacha family.
Elena Baltacha was born 14 August 1983 and died Sunday 4th May 2014
She represented Great Britain for 11 years in the international team competition Fed Cup
She was a proud member of Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games, playing singles and doubles
She spent 132 weeks as British No.1 in singles between Dec 2009 - June 2012
Her highest singles ranking was 49, achieved in September 2010
She won 11 ITF Pro Circuit singles titles
In Grand Slams, she reached the 3rd round of Wimbledon in 2002 and competed as recently as the 2013 Championships
She reached the 3rd round of the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010
Her last competitive tournament was the 2013 US Open
Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis
angel goodbye
