Tennis Update: Elena Baltacha wins 2010 Services to Tennis award
British number one, Elena Baltacha was honoured today by the Lawn Tennis Writers Association (LTWA) at its annual award evening. She was presented with the 2010 Services to Tennis award for her numerous achievements in the year 2010.
She started the year ranked 84 in the WTA Singles Rankings, however her performances in various events all year round especially the third round run in the 2010 Australian Open, earned her the career high ranking of 49 in September. The Brit finally broke
into the top 50, though she finished her season ranked 55th in the world.
Making it into the top 50 wasn’t the Brit’s only achievement. She also succeeded in defeating three of the top 10 at various events in the season. In the second round of BNP Paribas Open, she defeated the then world number four Na Li in the match of her
life. Lasting for almost three hours, Baltacha eventually outlasted the Chinese, winning the match 7–6(6), 2–6, 7–6(7).
Her second triumph came in June at the 2010 AEGON International, where she once again defeat Na Li to move ahead in the event.
Her final victory over a top 10 player for the year came at the Istanbul Cup where she met and defeated the then ranked 8th Italian, Francesca Schiavone. This was her biggest win yet, since she defeated the higher ranked Italian in straight sets
by 6-4, 6-2.
The Brit literally enjoyed the best season of her life. Her efforts for charity include the setting up of Elena Baltacha Tennis Academy for the disabled girls in her hometown of Ipswich. Having been diagnosed of liver condition, schlerosing cholangitis,
at the age of 19, she is the patron of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.
Talking about the award, she said, “It’s an honour to get this award and its extra special to be recognised by the tennis media because they are the eyes and ears of the sport. This has been a fantastic year for me but I feel like there is a lot more to
come. I’ve been working hard in the off-season and I’m ready to try and improve in 2011.”
The Brit accepted the award at The All England Club, Wimbledon where the LTWA held their annual lunch. She was presented the award by tennis veteran Virginia Wade.
Talking about Baltacha receiving the award, Chairman of LTWA David Luddy said, “Bally thoroughly deserves this prestigious award. To be ranked around the world’s top 50 - and still improving - after battling through years of illness is sensational. Her determination,
her positive approach and her consistent belief is an inspiration to all of us from club to professional level."
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