Novotna won all our hearts and respect
The Centre Court had never seen anything like it — a beaten finalist weeping on the shoulder of a royal f amily member, who threw stiff etiquette to the wind by comforting the vanquished player.
Thus did the nation take Jana Novotna and the Duchess of Kent to its heart in 1993, the aftermath of t he Czech’s collapse against Steffi Graf providing one of Wimbledon’s most iconic images.
Novotna, who died yesterday at 49 after battling cancer, became synonymous with the dreaded ‘ choke’ across all s ports, l et al one t ennis, although her career was to have a happy ending.
The Duchess’s words on that emotional afternoon — ‘One day you will do it, I know you will’ — turned out to be prophetic, for five years later in 1998 Novotna was champion after winning her third final at what was then considered the advanced age of 29.
Tributes poured in yesterday from around the tennis world, orld, many along the lines of that from Chris evert, who described Novotna’s passing as ‘a devastating loss to those of us who shared a deep friendship with her, a woman with integrity and honour’.
She was a private person, blessed with a smile that was warm and mischievous at the same time, and the extent of Novotna’s illness was not common knowledge within the game. It was to her great credit that she did not let the famous defeat by Graf define her. She led the German 4-1 and 40-30 in the deciding set when her nerve deserted her after a double fault, with Graf winning the last five games.
Novotna was to later reflect: ‘I’m not a choker but I’ve got a label on my back which says, ‘‘At the most important point in the match, Jana will choke’’. The label is almost impossible to get rid of. I could win three straight tournaments and people would still say, ‘‘Yes, she can play well, but remember the Wimbledon when she choked’’.’
And it should be emphasised Novotna was no loser, more a serial winner who ended up with 100 professional tennis titles.
She was a fine singles player but a truly great doubles exponent, blessed with a wide array of subtle hand skills that are increasingly hard to find in the modern women’s game, where power i s the main currency.y She won 12 Grand Slam doubles titles and four mixed doubles to add to a solitary solo Wimbledon triumph, which propelled her to a career-best ranking of No 2.
Coached by Grand Slam winner and compatriot hana Mandlikova, in 1997 she reached the final again, only to lose in three sets to Martina hingis.
The following year she beat Venus Williams in the quarters, hingis in the semis, and the overmatched French player Nathalie Tauziat in the final. The Duchess was on hand to present the trophy and declare: ‘I’m so proud of you.’
Former British No 1 Jo Durie recalled how difficult it was to face her old- school volleying style, which on grass was backed up with a superb sliced backhand. ‘She had quick hands at the net and her movement was so sharp she could rush you into making mistakes, she was everywhere,’ said Durie.
‘While a fierce competitor there was also a slight fragility about her. Off court she was a softly-spoken, lovely person.’
Fulfilled by her 1998 triumph, Novotna retired the following year but remained a regular visitor to the All england Club. She was a popular member of the BBC commentary t tee a am but sometimes oveoverlooked was her spell cc oachingo 2 0 1 3 Marion BaBartoli to an unexpected WiWimbledon title.
TThis year Novotna had bebeen absent from some of ththe senior Grand Slam evevents she usually attends. ShShe died with her family by heher side at her home in the CzechC Republic.