Tragedy as tennis star dies suddenly aged just 23

A young tennis star who was tipped as being "the next Anna Kournikova" has died suddenly aged just 23.

Violetta Degtiareva is believed to have suffered a heart attack, according to reports in her home country of Russia.

It's thought the athlete, from Rostov in south-west Russia, collapsed after a recent training session and died shortly after.

Despite her young age, the blonde beauty was currently ranked at 1,084 in the world, with a peak at 947. 

News of her death was not immediately made public and only became known when her fellow player Anastasia Vdovenco posted a message of condolence on her Facebook page, saying, "I can hardly believe it. Rest in peace."

Reports have not yet specified where Violetta was training when the incident occurred.