Athlete Profile: Elena Dementieva

Elena Dementieva was the star of the ASB Classic. The world's number four player, the 5' 11" tennis star was the highest ranked player to have ever played in the Auckland match. Marina Erakovic of New Zealand saw the mistake of waiting first in line as she was paired with Carla Suarez Navarro. Erakovic was poised for the win, having been the first Kiwi to make it into the top 50 ranking. The Russian Dementieva proved too much of a challenge for the New Zealander.

The Russian had achieved three other titles in the past year, and made it to the semifinals in the Wimbledon and US Open tournaments. For her, however, all of that pales to her win at the Beijing Olympics, having defeated the great Serena Williams and the Russians Vera Zvonareva and Dinara Safina, earning herself the Gold Medal. This win was a dream come true for the tennis player, who also won the silver in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. For the Russians, an Olympic win is a major honor. Many grow up watching the Olympics, getting inspired to greatness. This was no different for Dementieva.

For a tennis player, there is nothing more significant than a grand slam win, but for Dementieva, it does not hold light to her Olympic win. This was reinforced by the Russians, who held a special reception and celebration for the Olympian, with people coming up to her in the street and granting her thanks for the win. Elena Dementieva might not have had the chance for the gold metal, as her Moscow career was almost her last. Both the Central Red Army Tennis Clubs and Dynamo Sports told no, citing a flaw in her technique. After visiting many clubs, none of whom would take the young tennis player, they finally arrived at the Spartak club. The coach there liked the young player, took her under her win, making her and her parents feel like they were very lucky.

And Dementieva was in fact lucky, for she now has 11 career WTA titles, two grand slam finals appearances (2004 French and US open) and career winnings of $10.6 million dollars. Her win in the ASB Classic might have only gave her a $37,000 dollar purse, it is a step in the right direction for her attempt at the Australian Open. Her goal is to get in the first ranking for the world and win a grand slam.

This is the closest she has gotten to a grand slam win, and she aims to play her best and improve her technique. Every win is a small boost of confidence for the tennis player, who is slowly building her spirits. Over all, the tennis player is poised to get her first grand slam win in the Australian Open, an honor that for her will only build upon her past successes. Having achieved a great honor for her as a Russian, she will likely achieve an equally powerful honor as a tennis player.

Originally posted 2009-01-26 05:28:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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