Elena Dementieva Retires from Pro Tennis
In a surprise announcement after losing her last round robin match at the 2010 WTA Championships in Doha, Elena Dementieva, 29, announced that she had played her last tennis match on the Tour. In front of the other players competing in Doha, as well as her mother
and coach, Vera, Dementieva thanked her fans for their support over the years. During Dementieva’s thirteen year career, she reached the U.S. Open and French Open finals and won the Olympic Gold medal in singles at the Beijing Olympics beating Serena Williams en route to the final. Elena was also a stalwart on the Russian Federation Cup team and a member of the 2005 team which won the Fed Cup.
During her career, Elena collected sixteen titles two in 2010 when she struggled with a couple injuries. Until missing The Championships, Wimbledon this year due to a calf injury which caused Elena to retire from her semifinal match at the French Open, Dementieva had played in 46 consecutive Grand Slams. Dementieva, currently ranked ninth, will be ranked in the year-end top ten for the seventh time in eight years. Dementieva was also ranked in the top five in doubles during her career and won six titles. Elena also collected over $14 million in prize money over the years.
Many may remember Dementieva for what she didn’t win, i.e. a Grand Slam title, or her serving struggles for much of her career, although she definitely improved it A LOT in the past couple years. However, in the end, Dementieva leaves the pro game having accomplished so much on the court and achieving so much respect off the court. Those positive impressions should be what remain as her tennis legacy.
During her career, Elena collected sixteen titles two in 2010 when she struggled with a couple injuries. Until missing The Championships, Wimbledon this year due to a calf injury which caused Elena to retire from her semifinal match at the French Open, Dementieva had played in 46 consecutive Grand Slams. Dementieva, currently ranked ninth, will be ranked in the year-end top ten for the seventh time in eight years. Dementieva was also ranked in the top five in doubles during her career and won six titles. Elena also collected over $14 million in prize money over the years.
Many may remember Dementieva for what she didn’t win, i.e. a Grand Slam title, or her serving struggles for much of her career, although she definitely improved it A LOT in the past couple years. However, in the end, Dementieva leaves the pro game having accomplished so much on the court and achieving so much respect off the court. Those positive impressions should be what remain as her tennis legacy.
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