British royal the Duchess of Kent paid tribute to former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna yesterday following the Czech player's death from cancer, saying the tournament "will not be the same without her"
British royal the Duchess of Kent paid tribute to former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna yesterday following the Czech player's death from cancer, saying the tournament "will not be the same without her". Novotna captured hearts in 1993 when she featured in one of the most enduring images in Wimbledon history as she was consoled by the royal after losing the final to Steffi Graf. She was in tears as she received her runners-up prize and, in a moment of unusual emotion, the Duchess embraced the Czech, telling her: "I know you will win it one day, don't worry." Novotna, who died on Sunday aged 49, proved her right by winning the crown in 1998.