LONDON – Former top-50 professional tennis player Elena Baltacha says she has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver.
In a statement on the British tennis federation's website Friday, the 30-year-old Baltacha says she is "currently undergoing treatment and fighting this illness with everything I have."
Baltacha announced her retirement in November.
When she was 19, Baltacha was diagnosed with a chronic liver condition.
Her best ranking was 49th in 2010, and she reached the third round at Grand Slam tournaments three times — at Wimbledon in 2002, and at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010.
British Fed Cup captain Judy Murray says Baltacha "is a such a determined, upbeat person and everyone around her is staying positive as well."
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