Bingwa wa Wimbledon, Jana Novotna afariki dunia
Mchezaji tenis wa zamani wa Jamuhuri ya Czech, Jana Novotna amefariki dunia siku ya Jumapili ya wikiendi hii kufuatia kuugua ugonjwa wa kansa.
Bingwa huyo wa zamani wa Wimbledon, Novotna amefariki akiwa na umri wa miaka 49, wadau wa tenis humkumbuka zaidi pale alipomwaga machozi hadharani baada ya kukosa kutwaa taji hilo mwaka 1993 na 1997 kabla ya kushinda michuano ya Grand Slam mwaka 1998 kwa kumfunga mwanadada Nathalie Tauziat.
You battled bravely Jana Novotná. May you rest in peace.
A world-class player who lifted four #AusOpen doubles titles. pic.twitter.com/qWPyIjDPuz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) November 20, 2017
Chama cha tenis cha wanawake duniani (WTA) kimesema kuwa Novotna, ambaye amefariki kwa ugonjwa wa kansa kifochake kilikuwa katika hali ya utulivu na amani huku akiwa amezungukwa na familia yake.
“Jana alikuwa akiwavutia watu wengi ndani na nje ya mchezo kwa mtu yeyote aliyewahi kupata nafasi ya kumfahamu.” Alisema mtendaji mkuu wa WTA.
“Nyota yake siku zote itaangaza katika historia ya WTA. Tunaungana na familia ya marehemu katika kipindi hiki kigumu.”
Still shocked about this terrible news..you will be always remembered as our legend amazing… https://t.co/iQIqS2bFmY
— lucie safarova (@luciesafarova) November 20, 2017
Novotna ameshinda jumla ya mataji 17 ya Grand Slam katika kipindi chake chote alichokuwa akicheza mchezo huo, huku akitwaa medali tatu za Olympic.
She met with triumph and disaster, and treated those two impostors just the same.
Remembering Jana Novotna's #Wimbledon journey… pic.twitter.com/RmPkNfQjYL
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) November 20, 2017
Novotna ameanza kuingia katika mchezo wa tenis wa kulipwa mwaka 1987 na kufanya vizuri hali iliyopelekea wapenzi wa mchezo huo kumfuatilia huku akifanikiwa kujenga jina lake mwaka 1990 miaka nane kabla ya kutwaa ubingwa wa Wimbledon.
The All England Club is deeply saddened to hear the news of Jana Novotna’s passing. She was a true champion in all senses of the word, and her 1998 triumph will live long in the memory.
The thoughts of all those at Wimbledon are with her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/IiAVEM2IxP
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) November 20, 2017
