Ex-player Klemenschits dead at 25

I confess I had never heard of Daniela Klemenschits until today. But I think this deserves a mention. She hand her twin sister were BOTH diagnosed with abdominal cancer in January of last year? Are you kidding me? Life is too cruel.

Former Austrian doubles player Daniela Klemenschits died Wednesday after battling cancer. She was 25.

The Austrian tennis federation said Wednesday that Klemenschits and her twin sister Sandra were diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer in January last year, forcing them to retire.

They played doubles on the WTA Tour and the ITF women's circuit until 2006.

Daniela had several tumors removed and required expensive medical care. Roger Federer, Marat Safin, Justine Henin, Amelie Mauresmo, Martina Hingis and others donated items for an online auction in June to raise funds for her treatment.

The Klemenschits sisters won 20 titles on the ITF circuit. Although they didn't win a WTA Tour event, they entered the top 100 of the WTA doubles ranking in 2005.

Tennis is ultimately a small community. It's good to know that the players pitched in to try to help an unheralded player in need. Condolences to the Klemenschits family and Austrian Federation.