Elena Baltacha’s Legacy: A Love That Still Leads Us

News and Stories by Nino Severino

Our first January 2026 feature is dedicated to the loving memory of Elena Baltacha and to honouring her enduring legacy, whose spirit continues to inspire everything we do at the Foundation.

There are some people whose impact cannot be measured in trophies or titles alone. Elena Baltacha was one of them. Her true legacy lives not only in her achievements on the WTA World Tour but also in the countless young lives she shaped through the Elena Baltacha Foundation, lives still guided today by her spirit, her values, and her unwavering belief in the power of opportunity.

In the images that accompany this feature, Elena’s love, care and compassion shine unmistakably through. You see it in the way she leans in to listen, in the warmth of her smile, and in the quiet confidence she instilled in every child she worked with. Most of all, you see it in the way the children look at her, gazing with admiration, trust, and unmistakable love. These images capture more than moments in time; they capture relationships built on sincerity, kindness and belief. 

Despite competing at the highest level of professional tennis, Elena’s commitment to her foundation players was absolute. She gave them 100% of herself. No matter how demanding her global touring schedule became, Elena always returned to Ipswich. Those trips home were non-negotiable. They were not symbolic gestures; they were essential. She wanted to be present. She wanted to check in, to coach, to encourage, and to remind every child that they mattered.

To Elena, the foundation was never something she stepped away from when her career demanded more of her. Instead, it was something she carried with her wherever she went. The children were always in her thoughts, whether she was preparing for a match on the world stage or boarding a flight back home. She understood that relationships require nurturing, and she was deeply invested in maintaining and developing her bond with every player.

Equally important to Elena was her relationship with the parents. She knew that behind every young player stood a family making sacrifices, offering support, and sharing dreams. Elena valued those relationships enormously. She took the time to speak, to listen, and to build trust. Parents weren’t outsiders looking in; they were partners. She believed that when players, parents and coaches worked together, everyone was stronger.

Camaraderie sat at the heart of everything Elena built. She wanted the foundation to feel like a community, not a programme. She believed that players should support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and learn together through setbacks. The same applied to parents. Elena fostered an environment where families stood side by side, united by shared purpose and mutual respect. Everyone played a role. Everyone belonged.

Opportunity was one of Elena’s strongest driving forces. She knew first-hand how transformative access could be – access to coaching, competition, belief and hope. When financial barriers threatened to limit a child’s potential, Elena never accepted that as the final answer. Instead, the team came together. Conversations were had. Solutions were found. Somehow, Elena always found a way.

That phrase became more than a motto; it became a mindset. Whether it meant adjusting schedules, sourcing funding, or rallying collective support, no child was left behind simply because circumstances were difficult. Elena refused to let finances define futures. Her determination to open doors, rather than close them, remains one of the foundation’s strongest pillars today.

Above all else, Elena loved tennis, and she loved her children. She believed in the sport not just as a competitive pursuit, but as a teacher of resilience, discipline and joy. She wanted her players to grow not only as athletes but also as people. Confidence mattered. Kindness mattered. Character mattered. Her influence reached far beyond the court.

Today, every member of the Elena Baltacha Foundation is driven by that same spirit. Elena’s legacy lives in every session, every conversation, and every opportunity created in her name. It is her belief, her compassion and her relentless commitment that continue to guide us. We honour her wishes by showing up, by working together, and by finding a way, always.

Elena may no longer walk the courts beside us, but her presence is felt every single day. In the laughter of the children. In the unity of the families. And in the shared determination to carry her love forward, one player at a time.

Her legacy is not behind us.
It is alive, and it leads us still.