As Jana Novotna's many friends and fans around the world mourn her loss and seek ways to pay tribute to her life well lived, the WTA encourages that gifts in her memory be made to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where her legacy as one of the greatest champions of the sport will be forever celebrated.
In recognition of her inspiring and accomplished career, the 1998 Wimbledon champion was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005.
Smiling through happy tears at her induction ceremony that summer, Novotna stated, “Receiving this honor today is an acknowledgment of the accumulation of my dreams having come true.”
Novotna, a 17-time major champion, passed away from cancer in November at the age of 49. Her death elicited an outpouring of emotions from former players and the tennis community, as well as a desire to find ways to honor her memory.
As a non-profit organization, donations are to the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Annual Fund enable the organization to achieve its mission of preserving and promoting the history of tennis and celebrating its greatest champions.
The Hall of Fame’s efforts center on utilizing tennis history as a motivating vehicle to develop the next generation of players and fans.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame operates an incredible museum in Newport, Rhode Island, which features engaging exhibits focused on telling tennis history through the inspiring life stories of the Hall of Famers.
Among the objects currently on display to visitors is the match-used racquet that Novotna played with when she clinched the 1998 Wimbledon singles trophy – an extraordinary moment remembered by tennis fans around the world.
Proceeds from the ITHF Annual Fund are used for, but not limited to, activities including: acquisition and preservation of historic tennis memorabilia and artifacts; creation and implementation of museum and education programming in schools, which use tennis as a basis for curriculum in social studies, science, and math; opportunities for underserved youth to interact with collegiate and professional athletes; and philanthropic support to aid growth of tennis in developing nations.
Fans wishing to donate to the International Hall of Fame in Jana Novotna's name may do so here.
