Elena Baltacha

Bright Spark · Lower Club Player

RE: Elena Baltacha

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I'm late with this, but I have just seen the news. I have personal experience with this - my sister died of it a few years ago - and I knew the survival rates were very bad, but I hoped with Bally being so much younger than my sister, and with the possiblility medical research and treatment might have improved in these last few years, I really hoped she could pull through. My thoughts to her family and all who knew her.

Shhh · Challenger level

I haven't posted yet because I dont know what to say, I now accept I will never find the words. RIP Bally, I am so sorry for everyone around you.

gazzpash · Club Coach

Such sad news and horrible to read this online this morning. One of my favourite players and someone who I had a crush on over the years. Was fortunate to meet her at Eastbourne last year and a truly lovely individual. Thoughts are with her friend and family. RIP Bally

steven · Tennis legend

Some lovely writing about Bally in the papers today, e.g.

Times (free): thetim.es/RgiRHc
Mail: dailym.ai/1rUycIC
Telegraph: fw.to/mV5GXpH

... and some wonderful memories in a BBC video & pictures:

bbc.in/1iP7ktY (video) bbc.in/1rU78ZT (photos)

Of course, the more you read, the more you think about it, the more you think "why?" - it seems just as shocking today as it did last night when the news first broke, perhaps even more so.

Miriambee · Futures level

It's a nasty virulent cancer, and like all cancers is more virulent the younger you are.

So sad for all, her family especially, the women's tennis world has lost a lovely person.

Priesty · Challenger level

Some really nice articles there Steven, thanks for those.

I still can't believe how anyone could be so cruelly unlucky, and she was so undeserving of such cruel luck too.

PockyTastic · Futures level

This is just really not how things were supposed to go for her.

Jan · Hall of fame

Shed some tears when I read the news first thing this morning. Bally was an inspiration and has left an fantastic example both as a person and as a tennis player. Thoughts and prayers with Nino and the rest of her family and friends.

-- Edited by Jan on Monday 5th of May 2014 01:59:50 PM

wolf · Tennis legend

Still can't believe this. Only been married a few months, poor, poor Nino.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

The Madrid Open will pause for 1 minute of silence before the night session starts at 7pm UK time. It has been a very sombre mood here today. It has been mentioned that Bally never once asked "why me?". We'll I am going to ask. "Why Bally?". Sometimes life just doesn't make any sense. It is so unfair.

Spectator · All-time great

wolf wrote:
Still can't believe this. Only been married a few months, poor, poor Nino.

Yes, that's what's been running through my head, too. So many people have lost an inspiration ... but to lose your wife after such a brief marriage and with so much to look forward to? Also thinking of the students and staff at EBAT, especially the ones who knew her the best, for whom this must be fairly devastating. And her family. And friends.

So much for those responding from around the world - and it's a moving tribute to see how many they are! - to keep in the thoughts and prayers that they are offering.

indiana · Tennis legend

Just been on the Digital Spy forum, an often turbulent place best avoided by some. I actually went in to look at the football section, but then noticed an Elena thread.

Rarely before ( actually probably never ) have I ever read such a fine DS thread with the outpourings of sadness, disbelief and admiration for Elena. So few people really knew her, but felt they somehow knew her and so admired what she had achieved.

One post mentioned that with the liver condition she knew she had from 19, there was a one in ten chance that she would at some stage develop liver cancer. I have no reason to doubt the basics of that or that no doubt Elena knew this. Yet she went on and lived her life so purposefully and successfully.

Social media and the media generally seems so united about how inspirational Elena was with some moving tales of the inspiration she has been and will be in the future for others, some with such as their own illnesses.

I can't help reading and being moved and then having further moments of real sadness.

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 3rd of June 2014 02:53:18 PM

Spectator · All-time great

Just to add to the articles already posted (and in addition to the WTA ones):

Kheredine Idessane www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/27284256
Piers Newbery: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/27284569, and
the ATP: www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/05/19/Tennis-Family-Mourns-Baltacha.aspx

The one by Mr Idessane was particularly moving, I thought.

DavidC · Tennis legend

Desperately sad news to hear about via the unlikely source of radio 3, but touching to read and hear so many moving tributes here and elsewhere to a special person.