Jana Novotná 1968 – 2017

Biography

Born in Brno during the Czechoslovak era, Jana Novotná emerged as one of tennis’s most formidable competitors, representing her nation on the sport’s grandest stages. The Czech player’s fierce competitive spirit and technical prowess made her a commanding presence throughout her professional career, earning respect across the international tennis circuit and cementing her place in her country’s storied athletic tradition.

Novotná’s dedication to excellence on court left an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed her play. Her passion for the sport reflected the athletic legacy of the Czech Republic, and she became an ambassador for her homeland’s tennis heritage during her years at the pinnacle of professional competition.

She passed away on November 19, 2017, succumbing to ovarian cancer at age 49. Novotná was laid to rest in Židlochovice, near her birthplace, where her memory endures among the tennis community and all those whose lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey.