1998 Wimbledon Ladies' Singles champion dies at 49 after cancer battle
Novotná finally won the singles at Wimbledon in 1998 after losing in the final twice, memorably in 1993. After losing a tight first set to Steffi Graf, Novotná started beating the crap out of Steffi for a set and a half, to get up 4-1 in the third and have points to go up 5-1. At that point she choked, almost unable to get a ball in play, and lost the third set 6-4. At the time, Wimbledon didn't didn't have a miked commentator on court for the trophy presentation, just the Duchess of Kent who was the head of the All-England Club at the time. When the Duchess told Jana, "I know you can do it," Jana broke down on Centre Court and became one of the most popular runners-up, which made the 1998 victory that much more popular.
Novotná was also an outstanding doubles player, winning 12 majors in women's doubles and four in mixed.
**** cancer. 