By Sean Rudolph
© WTA, Zahed A Khan
(November 5, 2010) Elena Dementieva retired from the pro tour last week planning to start a new family. Her professional family — WTA players — pay tribute to Dementieva in a series of new video interviews.
Francesca Schiavone, Jelena Jankovic, Květa Peschke, Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Rennae Stubbs, Sam Stosur, Katarina Srebotnik, Lisa Raymond, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka, Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta each voice their views on Dementieva's career and legacy in this new video.
The 29-year-old Dementieva says the primary reason for her retirement is her desire to have children and start a family.
"I don't want to give all the details because these are very private, intimate things," Dementieva said in comments published by Reuters. "But I have to admit I've made a decision to quit mainly because I want to start a family, have kids."
There is speculation Dementieva will marry long-time boyfriend 31-year-old NHL wing Maxim Afinogenov of the Buffalo Sabres and start a family. Some speculate the pair are already engaged.
The former World No. 3 said reaching the decision to retire was difficult, but insists she will not return to the WTA.
"It was a very difficult and emotional but if I decided to quit that was it. I'm not coming back," Dementieva said.
Dementieva has always said family was a central foundation of her life, and three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who took time out from tennis to start a family, suggests Dementieva may be ready for motherhood.
"The emotions with her mother — you see the bond that that they have (and) they traveled for so many years together — you have so many great successes, but also some bad moments in a career," Clijsters said. "To be able to share that with the person you probably care about the most (is special). She is ready for a new chapter of her life. She's probably gonna start a family and do all that stuff."
Dementieva called it quits last week, officially retiring after her 6-4, 6-2 loss to Francesca Schiavone at the WTA Championships, to conclude a 13-year career in which she never mastered a major but gained major respect for her determination and disposition.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me through my career, including the WTA, all of the tournaments and the staff, all of the WTA players I have had the pleasure of playing with, the sponsors that are so important for our sport, my mother Vera and my family and of course, the fans that have been there for me through the years," said Dementieva. "While I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I will miss all of you very much."