Jana Novotna

About

Jana is a former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic. She won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon in 1998 and was runner-up in three previous Grand Slam tournaments.

Novotna turned professional in 1986. In the early years of her career, she was known primarily for her success as a doubles player. In the early-1990s, Novotna began to have success in singles once four-time Grand Slam singles champion Hana Mandlíková became her coach. And in 1998 she won both the Wimbledon singles and doubles titles, becoming the oldest first-time Grand Slam singles winner in the Open Era at the age of 29.

Jana won more than 500 career singles matches only the 15th woman in the Open Era to accomplish the feat. She also won 12 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles and four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

She has also won the 1996 Olympic Bronze Medal in singles and Silver in doubles, and won 1988 Silver Medal in doubles.

Novotna was named the 1998 WTA Tour Doubles Team of the Year with Martina Hingis and was a finalist for Player of the Year honors.

She has also represented her country for the Czech Fed Cup Team 1987-93, 1995-98, Czech Olympic Team 1988, 1992, and the Czech Republic Olympic Team in 1996.

Jana was inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005.

One of the most respected players in tennis, Jana Novotna is in demand as an after dinner speaker for her tennis anecdotes and memories.