The Elena Baltacha Foundation is to benefit from Martina Navratilova’s vast experience and passion for tennis.
Navratilova, winner of a record nine Wimbledon singles titles, has long been a supporter of the charity and took part in the 2014 Rally for Bally fundraising campaign set up in the wake of Baltacha’s death, aged 30, from liver cancer.
The tremendous support for the campaign from the world of tennis and beyond led to the launch of the foundation, ensuring the player’s mission to encourage children from all backgrounds to get involved in tennis could continue.
“It is an honour to be invited to be a patron of the foundation and help to continue the great work that Bally started,” said 59-time Grand Slam champion Navratilova.
Baltacha, affectionately known to all as Bally, and husband Nino set up the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis (EBAT) in their home town of Ipswich in Suffolk.
The academy, now under the watchful eye of Nino, continues to provide affordable tennis-playing opportunities for hundreds of children in the local area.
The academy’s success has meant its work has spread further afield, for example rolling out Bally Fun Day events aimed at girls and female coaches – to 100 venues across the UK in 2017.
Judy Murray, who designed and piloted the Fun Day concept, and who is founding patron of the Elena Baltacha Foundation said, "I'm thrilled that Martina is joining EBF as a patron. She will bring an incredible level of expertise and passion to ensuring a wonderful legacy for Bally".
Learn more about the Elena Baltacha Foundation.
