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JN
Tennis Biography

Jana Novotná

“Zoff”

Czech · Brno, Czech Republic · Born 2 October 1968

Singles
1
grand slams
3
wimbledon finals
2
career high ranking
24
w t a titles

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The comeback queen — Jana Novotná won Wimbledon at 29 in the most emotional final in the tournament's history.

Jana Novotná was born on 2 October 1968 in Brno, Czechoslovakia. She turned professional in 1987 and became one of the best serve-and-volleyers in women's tennis. She reached the 1993 Wimbledon final but sobbed on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent after losing a set she was serving to win. She came back to finally win Wimbledon in 1998 at the age of 29 — one of the most emotional victories in tennis history. She also won the 1998 WTA Championships. She retired in 1999 and died of cancer in 2017 aged 49.

Best Known For

Wimbledon 1998

She famously wept on the Duchess of Kent's shoulder after losing the 1993 Wimbledon final — then came back to win it five years later in 1998.

Did You Know?
Honours & Achievements

Career Honours

  • Wimbledon 1998
  • WTA Championships 1998
Career Journey

Timeline

1968 👶 Born in Brno, Czech Republic
1983 🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏆 Wimbledon 1998
🏆 WTA Championships 1998
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

5 common questions about Jana Novotná

Sobbing on the Duchess of Kent's shoulder after losing the 1993 Wimbledon final, then returning to win it in 1998.

Novotná died on 19 November 2017 in Brno aged 49, following a cancer illness.

Jana Novotná was Czech, born in Brno, Czechoslovakia.

Jana Novotná was born on 2 October 1968 in Brno, Czechoslovakia.

Jana Novotná won 24 WTA singles titles during her career.

Career Timeline — Jana Novotná
1968
Born in Brno, Czech Republic
1983
Retired from professional sport
Wimbledon 1998
WTA Championships 1998