British number one Andy Murray has expressed his 'shock' at news that former tennis player Elena Baltacha has been diagnosed with liver cancer.

The 30-year-old announced on Friday last week that she is currently undergoing treatment for the disease.

Following the news, Murray, whose friend Ross Hutchins was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma back in December 2012, has offered his support to the retired star.

"If there's anything I could do, I'm sure any of the guys on the tour and the girls, if there's anything we could do that could help, we would," BBC Sport quotes Murray as saying.

"I've known Bally for a long time. I don't know her as well as I know Ross, but it's still shocking. She's so young, she's just retired, you're expecting her to enjoy just a nice happy life.

"She's just got married as well so you feel bad. Life is very, very unfair. I think she has the right attitude. My mum told me that she was unbelievably positive very soon after finding out."

Baltacha retired from tennis in November last year.