The former women’s number one died peacefully at her home early yesterday morning surrounded by friends and family and with her husband Nino Severino at her side.

The sports star was diagnosed with the illness in January, just two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-term coach.

In a statement released by her family, Mr Severino said: “We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally.