Czech tennis player Jana Novotna has died at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer.
Novotna won the women's Wimbledon singles title in 1998 after losing in the final in both 1993 and 1997.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) said Novotna, who was ranked as high as number two in singles and number one in doubles, died peacefully surrounded by family in the Czech Republic.
She won a total of 17 major titles and was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005.
"Jana was an inspiration both on and off court to anyone who had the opportunity to know her," WTA chief executive Steve Simon said.
"Her star will always shine brightly in the history of the WTA. Our condolences and our thoughts are with Jana's family."
Novotna won hearts around the world
Novotna spent 14 years on the professional circuit, winning 24 WTA single titles and 76 doubles titles.
She won the hearts of fans around the world when she burst into tears after throwing away victory against Steffi Graf in the 1993 Wimbledon final when on the verge of victory.
She was famously consoled afterwards by the Duchess of Kent during the post-match ceremony.
Novotna lost the 1997 Wimbledon final to Martina Hingis but broke through the following year for her only major singles title when she defeated Nathalie Tauziat in the tournament decider.
She made the Australian Open final in 1991 and her best performances at the US and French Opens included appearances in the semi-finals.
Her doubles accomplishments were highlighted by winning all four majors, 12 in total, and she also claimed mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon, and the Australian and US Opens.
Novotna won the 1997 WTA Championships singles title, and was a three-time Olympic medallist and a member of Czechoslovakia's 1988 Fed Cup championship team.
"She always supported us from the stands when she could. We will miss her," the Czech Fed Cup team said on its Facebook page.
ABC/Reuters
