Martina Navratilova and Andy Murray turn out in support of cancer-stricken Elena Baltacha

 

Paul Newman
Wednesday 16 April 2014 18:30 EDT
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Elena Baltacha revealed last month that she is fighting liver cancer
Elena Baltacha revealed last month that she is fighting liver cancer (Getty Images)

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British tennis fans will have the chance to show their support for cancer-stricken Elena Baltacha this summer.

Martina Navratilova, Andy Murray and Tim Henman will be among those taking part in charity mixed doubles matches at the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club in London, the Aegon Classic at Edgbaston Priory and the Aegon International in Eastbourne.

Baltacha, who was British No 1 two years ago, revealed last month that she had been diagnosed with liver cancer.

The "Rally for Bally" follows last year's highly successful "Rally Against Cancer" in support of the Royal Marsden hospital, which treated Ross Hutchins for Hodgkin lymphoma. The British Davis Cup player, who has since returned to competition, was recently appointed tournament director at the Aegon Championships.

The charity matches will be played on Sunday 15 June, which will be finals day at Queen's and Edgbaston and the day before the main action gets under way at Eastbourne. Proceeds will be split equally between the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis in Ipswich, which helps under-privileged children.

Hutchins and Andy Murray will be on opposite sides of the net at Queen's and Greg Rusedski and Jonny Marray will feature in Eastbourne. Navratilova, Henman, Jamie Murray and Anne Keothavong will play in Birmingham, while Laura Robson, Heather Watson and Jo Konta will also take part at one of the venues.

Navratilova, who has herself fought breast cancer, said: "My thoughts are with Elena and what she must be going through at this time. It is great that the tennis world is coming together to support her, and rally against cancer."

A "Rally For Bally" JustGiving page has been set up at: www.justgiving.com/RallyForBally

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