Tributes to tennis star Baltacha, 30, after losing battle with cancer

Billie-Jean King led the tributes to former British tennis number one Elena Baltacha, who lost her battle with liver cancer on Sunday morning at the age of 30.

Baltacha was diagnosed with the illness in January, just two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-time coach Nino Severino.

Former tennis great King, 70, who won 39 grand slam titles, was moved to hear of Baltacha’s death and said on Twitter: “Saddened to hear about Elena Baltacha’s passing.