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| Elena Dementieva |
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"I am not at all tempted by the title of 'Tennis Lolita'. I am trying to prove myself on the court and not off the court."
- Elena Dementieva
| Date of Birth: October 15, 1981. |
| Birthplace: Moscow. |
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| She's the new rising export from the country that loves pumping out beautiful tennis players. But unlike her famed countrywoman Anna Kournikova, Elena actually wins. |
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| After five years in the professional circuit, Elena is finally getting her due recognition. Having played against the cream of the court, Elena recently earned her second WTA title this year and ranks #8 in the WTA singles category. |
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Born October 15, 1981 in Moscow, Elena Dementieva's start in tennis was encircled with Russia's greatest. Her parents, Viatcheslav, an electrical engineer, and Vera, a teacher, both played recreational tennis. Their love for the game was such that they tried to enroll 7-year-old Elena and her brother in Moscow's most eminent sports clubs.
But the competition for spots was brutal. Dynamo and the Central Red Army Club both turned her down, citing minor imperfections in her movement. Finally she was accepted by the illustrious Spartak Club, where she was coached by Rauza Islanova, mother and trainer of Russian men's tennis great Marat Safin.
Elena's three years under Islanova were tough, but she keeps fond memories of her former coach. It was this toughness that forged Elena's hardy sportsmanship. "This desire to fight till the end was inherited from her because she was tough and preserved strict sports-like discipline," Dementieva said.
She played and won her first international tournament, Les Petits Aces, in France, at the age of 13. In domestic tournaments back home, she was usually the winner or at least a runner-up. Elena always remained among the top four women in her country, along with Anna Kournikova, Ekaterina Sysoeva, and Anastasia Myskina. |
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© George Pimentel
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