Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/366594
ITFWORLD SUMMER 2014 15 www.itftennis.com G reat Britain's Elena Baltacha, who played in 39 Fed Cup ties over a 12-year period, died of liver cancer in April at the age of 30. She was diagnosed in January just a few weeks after her retirement from tennis, following a career in which she reached a career-high ranking of 49 and also represented her country at the London 2012 Olympics. The ITF chose to honour the former British No. 1, known for her battling spirit and strong team ethos, with a special Lifetime Fed Cup Heart Award which was presented at the Draw for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas held in Paris during Roland Garros. Great Britain's Fed Cup captain Judy Murray collected the award on behalf of Baltacha's family, while the ITF donated a cheque for $10,000 to Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and The Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, the two charities being supported by the 'Rally for Bally' events which were held in her memory later in June. Baltacha made her Fed Cup debut in 2002 and led the Great Britain team for many years, compiling an impressive 33-16 record and regularly playing in both singles and doubles. She had planned to dedicate her time after retirement to the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, which she set up in her home town of Ipswich to enable children from all backgrounds to learn and play tennis. Accepting the award, Murray said, "I can honestly say that you could not have asked for a better player to lead your team. She was a role model to the younger players, an amazing professional — selfless, humble, with the heart of a lion." ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti echoed those sentiments, saying, "In the many years that I have been involved with both Fed Cup and Davis Cup, it has been my good fortune to watch hundreds of players who play their heart out when they play for their country. Bally was that kind of player, a team player, and it is people like her who make our competitions meaningful and strong. She will be missed." HONOUR FOR BaltacHa at Fed cUp dRaw The late Elena Baltacha was honoured with a special Lifetime Fed Cup Heart Award at the Draw for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, held during Roland Garros. FED CUP hEART AWARD Fed Cup Committee Chairman Georg von Waldenfels presents the award to Judy Murray, joined by LTA President Cathie Sabin and Anne Keothavong Baltacha in Fed Cup action