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Elena Dementieva Ties the Knot
By Richard Lucas
Photo Credit WTA
 (July 18, 2011) After reaching World No. 3 in 2009, Elena Dementieva is known as one of the best women players without a major title, though she did win the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Over the weekend she married longtime boyfriend Maxim Afinogenov after retiring last year in order to start a family.
The Moscow native retired exactly two weeks after turning 29 with plans of marriage already planned. It became official on Saturday in her hometown where she was surrounded by many of her former fellow players including, but not limited to, Vera Dushevina, Vera Zvonareva, and Maria Kirilenko.
Dementieva was known throughout her career primarily for her inconsistent ball toss and weak serve. She did not let this detract from her game, reaching at least the semifinals in all four majors as well as the year-end championship using her offensive groundstrokes and excellent return game.
Considered one of the nicest women on the tour, Dementieva spent three years during her development being coached by the mother of Dinara Safina, who was also in attendance. Safina has not been on tour since the beginning of May, taking an extended break in hopes of recovering from frequent back injury.
Afinogenov is popular in his own right, played a number of seasons in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabers before signing last year to play in St. Petersburg.
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