Tennis Star Elena Baltacha Dies, Aged 30

Tennis star Elena ‘Bally’ Baltacha has died of liver cancer at the age of 30. The former British number one’s agents, Eleanor Preston and Faye Andrews, confirmed that she passed away on Sunday morning. In a statement on behalf of her family, they said: “Despite a determined battle against the disease, she passed away peacefully at home with her husband Nino (Severino) by her side and surrounded by friends and family. “We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally. She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness”. Back in January, only a matter of weeks after she married her coach and partner Nino, Baltacha was diagnosed with cancer of the liver. Elena Baltacha sadly passed away on Sunday morning.