Elena Baltacha’s posthumous influence on British tennis remains strong a decade after her passing, thanks to the exceptional work carried out by the foundation established in her honour. Despite her untimely demise at the age of 30 in May 2014, her legacy lives on through the foundation that bears her name.
Baltacha, the former British number one, bravely battled a severe liver condition throughout her career and, alongside her coach and future husband Nino Severino, had established an academy in Ipswich in order to provide opportunities for underprivileged children in her local area to learn and play tennis. Today, the Elena Baltacha Foundation, under the guidance of Severino, engages thousands of children annually through its tennis and leadership programmes.
Addressing the impact of the foundation, Severino stated, “The story is a story of tragedy. I lost the love of my life. But we talked a lot about her vision 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.”
At a recent event at the National Tennis Centre in London, organized by the WTA in partnership with the Elena Baltacha Foundation and Murray Play Foundation, Judy Murray led activities alongside former British number ones Heather Watson and Johanna Konta, to encourage young people to lead active and fulfilling lives both on and off the court.
Expressing his gratitude, Severino mentioned, “Right after I lost Elena, the WTA were there to lift me up and to carry me through a very tough period. They’re a global organisation with heart and soul and they’re a big part of what saved me. (The foundation) helps me a lot. Every day she’s part of our lives. It keeps me strong, gives me meaning and focus.”
Severino aims to expand the foundation’s outreach, stating, “We want as many of the young people as possible to stay involved in tennis. Next year I want it to be a really big year. I want us to go to the next level.”
Judy Murray, who was deeply connected to Baltacha, spoke about the impact Baltacha had on her and many others involved in the tennis world. She emphasized, “There’s a little core of us coaches, players, and ex-players for whom she was such a big part of our tennis lives. When I became Fed Cup captain, she was the number one and you could not have asked for a better number one. She was an awesome ambassador for women’s tennis.”
Heather Watson, one of the former players involved, expressed her admiration for the foundation, saying, “I just love what it represents. I think Nino does an amazing job with it and any time I can get involved with an event like this I always say yes. I love it. This is my way, I feel, of giving back.”
The enduring impact of Elena Baltacha on British tennis is undeniable, and her legacy continues to thrive through the foundation that bears her name. With the support of the tennis community and all those inspired by her vision, the foundation aims to create an even greater impact and ensure that her spirit lives on.
Elena Baltacha’s foundation represents so much more than just a contribution to the sport – it is a testament to her legacy and the impact she continues to have, even after her passing. Let’s continue to support and honour the vision of this remarkable individual.