Former British No 1 Baltacha battling cancer

Former British No 1 Elena Baltacha has been diagnosed with liver cancer, the Scot said on Friday.

"I have recently been diagnosed with cancer of the liver. I'm currently undergoing treatment and fighting this illness with everything I have," Baltacha, 30, said in a Lawn Tennis Association statement.

Baltacha, once ranked in the world's top 50, announced her retirement from competitive tennis in November.

"Obviously this is a tough time for Bally, (husband) Nino and her family but she is a such a determined, upbeat person and everyone around her is staying positive as well," Britain's Federation Cup captain Judy Murray said.

"I know she'll be really grateful for all the support that she's getting."

Image: Elena Baltacha of Britain follows through on a serve to Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their women's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London June 24, 2013

Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/Files/Reuters