Former British number one Elena Baltacha has announced she has been diagnosed with liver cancer.
"I'm currently undergoing treatment and fighting this illness with everything I have," said Baltacha.
Judy Murray, captain of Great Britain’s Fed Cup Team, said: "Obviously this is a tough time for Bally, Nino [her husband] and her family but she is such a determined, upbeat person and everyone around her is staying positive as well.
"I know she'll be really grateful for all the support that she's getting.
The 30-year-old was born in Ukraine but grew up in Scotland when her father, a footballer who represented the USSR, signed for Perth-based club St Johnstone. Her mother was also a successful athlete, representing the USSR in the heptathlon at the Olympics.
Baltacha reached as high as 49th in the world rankings and beat several world top 10 players in her career, and won 11 ITF tournaments.
She retired from the sport last year due to the persistent injuries that had always held her back from achieving her full potential on the court.
At the age of just 19, she was diagnosed with a liver condition called Primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is known to lead to complications including cancer later in life.
SOURCE-YAHOO SPORT
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