NPR

Jana Novotná, 'Acrobatic Athlete' Who Won 17 Grand Slams, Dies At 49

The Czech star won the singles Wimbledon title, 16 doubles Grand Slams and three Olympic medals. The Women's Tennis Association said the Hall of Famer died Sunday "after a long battle with cancer."
Jana Novotná unloads a backhand during the finals of the 1997 Chase Championships, which she ultimately won. Novotna, who also would go on to win Wimbledon in 1998, died Sunday at age 49.

Jana Novotná, the Czech tennis star who took home 17 Grand Slam championship trophies across the span of her career, died Sunday at the age of 49. The Women's Tennis Association announced the news "with deep sadness" on Monday, saying Novotná died surrounded by family in the Czech Republic after waging "a long battle with cancer."

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