The Elena Baltacha Foundation is having a long-term impact on British tennis by engaging thousands of children each year in its tennis and leadership programmes. This foundation continues to uphold the legacy of former British number one, Elena Baltacha, who tragically passed away at the age of 30 in 2014 from liver cancer.
Elena, along with her coach and future husband Nino Severino, had established an academy in her hometown of Ipswich with the aim of providing tennis opportunities to disadvantaged children in the local community. Today, the foundation, led by Severino, is successfully fulfilling Elena’s vision.
Severino expressed, “The story is a story of tragedy. I lost the love of my life. But we talked a lot about what her vision was and what she wanted. When she was healthy she was going round schools so to see it all materialise at this level is amazing. I just wish she was here to experience it. She would have loved it. However long she spent on this earth, it had a real impact.”
The foundation recently participated in the Come Play event at the National Tennis Centre in London in partnership with the WTA and Murray Play Foundation. The initiative aims to utilise tennis to positively impact communities and encourage young people, particularly girls, to lead healthy and productive lives. The event was successful with 60 children from London schools participating in enjoyable sessions led by Judy Murray, Heather Watson, and Johanna Konta.
Severino is profoundly grateful for the support from the tennis community, noting that the WTA played a significant role in helping him through a very tough period after Elena’s passing. He expressed his desire for the foundation to continue its work and to reach even more young people in the coming years.
Judy Murray, who had a close relationship with Elena, spoke about the impact and importance of the foundation, expressing, “Without her foundation, they would never have got into it. What she did in her area was incredibly important.”
Heather Watson, a former junior member of the team, also shared her admiration for the foundation and its meaningful work. She highlighted the incredible job that Nino does and the inspiration she draws from being involved in events like these.
Elena Baltacha’s legacy lives on through the foundation, and her impact continues to be felt throughout British tennis. It is heartwarming to see her dream being realised, and the foundation’s work is a testament to her enduring influence on the sport.