News / Sports
Elena Dementieva Retires From Tennis
Russian Tennis Great Announces Retirement
"It is so emotional," said Dementieva during a tearful ceremony. "It is so hard to say goodbye. I am going to miss you so much."
"She has been one of the players I grew up with playing in juniors," said recent U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters, as she held back tears. "It's nice to see her looking forward to something new in her life. ... She has been one of the most professional players, one of the nicest girls on the court."
"I think she has been great inspiration for a lot of young Russians," said Vera Zvonareva, also from Russia. "She was a role model. I looked up to her. She had such a great career. Right now, the whole country will be sad and everyone will support her."
Stacy Allaster, CEO of the WTA, said, "She has also been a catalyst for the growth of the sport in Russia and around the world."
Ranked Number 9 in the World at the time of her retirement, 29-year-old Dementieva struggled with injuries this past year, but she managed to win two tournaments anyway.
Dementieva, who turned professional in 1998, was once ranked as high as No. 3. She boasts 2 Grand Slam Finals appearances and an Olympic Gold medal. She retires with 16 WTA titles, a WTA Championships doubles title, and an impressive 575-272 record. According to ESPN.com, "Dementieva competed in 46 consecutive Grand Slams until she missed this year's Wimbledon because of a calf injury." Dementieva's arguably finest moment came in 2008, when she defeated Serena Williams, Zvonareva, and Dinara Safina to win an Olympic Gold medal in Beijing.
(Sources: ESPN.com)
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