# Jana Novotná

> Czech tennis player (1968–2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q229121](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229121)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jana_Novotná)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jana-novotna

## Summary

Jana Novotná (1968–2017) was a Czech professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles and won the prestigious Wimbledon singles title in 1998. Over her career from 1987 to 1999, she accumulated 14 singles titles and 31 doubles titles, including four Grand Slam doubles championships, and earned an Olympic bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2023 and was awarded the Czech Medal of Merit for her contributions to Czech tennis.

## Biography

- **Born:** October 2, 1968, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic)
- **Died:** November 19, 2017, Czech Republic
- **Nationality:** Czech (citizenship: Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia)
- **Education:** Attended Gymnasium (type of school providing advanced secondary education in Europe)
- **Known for:** Winning Wimbledon singles title (1998); reaching world No. 2 ranking; winning 4 Grand Slam doubles titles; Olympic bronze medalist (1996)
- **Employer(s):** Professional tennis player (1987–1999)
- **Field(s):** Tennis (sportsperson who plays tennis)

## Contributions

Jana Novotná's tennis career spanned from 1987 to 1999, during which she established herself as one of the leading players on the WTA Tour. Her most significant achievement came in 1998 when she won the Wimbledon singles championship, defeating Nathalie Tauziat in the final. This victory marked the pinnacle of her singles career and made her the first Czech woman to win Wimbledon since 1978. Throughout her career, she compiled a singles record of 571 wins and 225 losses, winning 14 singles titles. In doubles competition, she was even more successful, accumulating a record of 697 wins and 153 losses with 31 titles, including four Grand Slam doubles championships. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, she won the bronze medal in women's doubles. She achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 2 in the world and No. 1 in doubles. Her final professional appearance was at Wimbledon in 1999.

## FAQs

**What were Jana Novotná's biggest tennis achievements?**
Jana Novotná's biggest achievement was winning the Wimbledon singles title in 1998, defeating Nathalie Tauziat in the final. She also won four Grand Slam doubles titles throughout her career and earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

**What was Jana Novotná's highest tennis ranking?**
Jana Novotná reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles during her professional tennis career.

**How many tennis titles did Jana Novotná win?**
Jana Novotná won 14 singles titles and 31 doubles titles throughout her professional career from 1987 to 1999.

**When and where was Jana Novotná born and died?**
Jana Novotná was born on October 2, 1968, in Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) and died on November 19, 2017, in the Czech Republic.

**What honors and awards did Jana Novotná receive?**
Jana Novotná was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2023, received the Czech Medal of Merit (a civil medal of the Czech Republic established in 1990), and was awarded the City of Brno Award.

**Who were Jana Novotná's notable contemporaries in tennis?**
Jana Novotná played during an era that included players such as Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and Jana Novotná's fellow Czech players. She is related to Barbora Krejčíková, another successful Czech tennis player born in 1995.

## Why They Matter

Jana Novotná matters as one of the most successful Czech tennis players in history, helping to establish the Czech Republic as a force in international tennis. Her Wimbledon victory in 1998 was particularly significant as it came after a 20-year gap since Martina Navratilova's Czech Wimbledon wins, inspiring a new generation of Czech tennis players including Barbora Krejčíková. Her success in both singles and doubles demonstrated remarkable versatility, and her Olympic bronze medal added to her legacy. The Czech tennis tradition that she helped build continues today with players like Krejčíková winning Grand Slam titles. Her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2023, more than five years after her death, ensures her legacy will endure in the sport's history. She was known for her powerful serve and volley game, contributing to the evolution of women's tennis tactics during the 1990s.

## Notable For

- Winner of Wimbledon singles title (1998)
- Four-time Grand Slam doubles champion
- Olympic bronze medalist (1996 Atlanta, women's doubles)
- Career-high singles ranking: World No. 2
- Career-high doubles ranking: World No. 1
- 14 singles titles and 31 doubles titles career total
- International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee (2023)
- Czech Medal of Merit recipient
- City of Brno Award recipient
- First Czech woman to win Wimbledon since 1978
- Height: 175 cm; Weight: 63 kg

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Jana Novotná was born on October 2, 1968, in Czechoslovakia, a sovereign state in Central Europe that existed from 1918 to 1992. She grew up during a period of significant political change in Czechoslovakia, which would later dissolve into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. Novotná attended a Gymnasium, the European type of school providing advanced secondary education, which suggests she received a solid educational foundation alongside her tennis development. Czechoslovakia, with its capital in Prague, was known for its contributions to sports, particularly tennis and ice hockey, and Novotná would become one of the country's most notable athletic exports.

### Professional Tennis Career (1987–1999)

Jana Novotná began her professional tennis career in 1987 and played until 1999, a span of 12 years during which she established herself among the elite players on the WTA Tour. Her career singles record was 571 wins against 225 losses, demonstrating remarkable consistency and competitiveness at the highest level of the sport. She won 14 singles titles throughout her career, with her most prestigious victory coming at Wimbledon in 1998. In doubles competition, she was even more successful, compiling a record of 697 wins and 153 losses with 31 career titles. Her four Grand Slam doubles titles demonstrated her versatility and excellence in both formats of the game.

### Wimbledon Victory (1998)

The pinnacle of Jana Novotná's career came in 1998 when she won the Wimbledon singles championship, the most prestigious grass-court tournament in tennis. She defeated French player Nathalie Tauziat in the final to claim the title. This victory was historically significant as she became the first Czech woman to win Wimbledon since Martina Navratilova's dominance in the late 1970s. The win established her place among the elite players in women's tennis history and remains one of the most notable achievements in Czech tennis history. Wimbledon, held at the All England Club in London, United Kingdom, is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and is considered the most prestigious.

### Olympic Achievement

At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States (a country located primarily in North America), Jana Novotná represented the Czech Republic and won the bronze medal in women's doubles. The Olympics, held in the United States that year, featured tennis as an official sport, and Novotná's medal added to her collection of achievements. The United States, with its extensive tennis infrastructure and tournaments, was a frequent venue for her professional matches throughout her career.

### Rankings and Career Highlights

Jana Novotná achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 2, making her one of the top players during her era. She also reached the world No. 1 position in doubles, demonstrating her excellence in both formats. Her 14 singles titles and 31 doubles titles over her career reflect sustained excellence across many tournaments. Physically, she stood 175 cm tall and weighed 63 kg, giving her the height and power needed for an aggressive serve-and-volley game that was effective on grass courts like Wimbledon.

### Later Life and Legacy

Jana Novotná passed away on November 19, 2017, in the Czech Republic at the age of 49. Her death was met with tributes from the tennis world and Czech sports community. In recognition of her contributions to Czech tennis, she was awarded the Czech Medal of Merit, a civil medal of the Czech Republic established in 1990. She also received the City of Brno Award, an honor from her home city. In 2023, more than five years after her death, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, located in Newport, USA (the United States), cementing her legacy among the sport's greatest players. The International Tennis Hall of Fame, established in 1880, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of tennis.

### Connection to Czech Tennis Tradition

Jana Novotná was part of a rich tradition of Czech tennis excellence that continued after her retirement. She is connected to Barbora Krejčíková, a Czech tennis player born in 1995 who has also achieved Grand Slam success. The Czech Republic, which succeeded Czechoslovakia in 1993, has maintained a strong tennis program, with Novotná's achievements helping to pave the way for the next generation of Czech players. The country's tennis heritage includes multiple Grand Slam champions and Olympic medalists, with Novotná being among the most accomplished.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/92934)
4. Olympedia
5. [Jana Novotná se už na kurtech nestresuje | Sport. 2008](https://www.lidovky.cz/sport/ostatni-sporty/jana-novotna-se-uz-na-kurtech-nestresuje.A080930_111741_ln-sport-ostatni_mis)
6. Encyclopedia of Brno History
7. [Source](https://www.outsports.com/2018/5/25/17393272/french-open-gay-players-women-men)
8. The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.)
9. Find a Grave
10. [Source](https://www.brno.cz/obcan/vyznamne-osoby-a-vyroci/ceny-mesta-brna/)
11. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
12. WTA website
13. The Fine Art Archive
14. [Tennis world mourns the passing of Jana Novotna. 2017](http://www.wtatennis.com/news/tennis-world-mourns-passing-jana-novotna)
15. ITF website
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Virtual International Authority File