Novotna celebrates success at Wimbledon in 1998 (Getty)

Jana Novotna says the chance to play against Martina Hingis persuaded her to sign up for June's TFS-ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament.

Novotna famously lost to Hingis in the Wimbledon final of 1997, before winning the All England Championship in 1998.

She told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm happy that I will have a chance to play against Martina Hingis again.

"It's going to bring back a lot of good memories, it's going to be even more special on grass."

Novotna, whose 1998 victory over Natalie Tauziat at Wimbledon was her only Grand Slam singles title, will play in the legends tournament once the six-day event gets underway at Calderstones Park on Tuesday 10 June.

During her 14-year career Novotna won a total of 100 titles, including 12 Grand Slam women's doubles titles and four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

I'm hoping something good will happen Jana Novotna

The Czech national, who lives in Florida, says that she is at a loss as to why no English player has come through the ranks to emulate her achievements.

"I have always wondered about that because you certainly have a lot of fantastic facilities," she said. "You have the best and biggest tournament [Wimbledon].

"You have the funds and you have the coaches, so I'm hoping something good will happen, but it takes a lot of years and a lot of work to bring up a champion."