Doha, Qatar: Beijing Olympics champion Elena Dementieva announced her retirement from professional tennis on Friday after bowing out of the WTA Championships.
Dementieva, who has struggled with injuries and was eliminated on Thursday from reaching the semifinals, made her announcement in a tearful ceremony surrounded by her fellow rivals.
The 29-year-old Russian ended her 12-year career, marked by two Grand Slam finals, by losing to French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-2. Dementieva won 16 times overall.
"It is so emotional. It is so hard to say good bye," Dementieva told her fellow players. "I am going to miss you so much."
Looking at her mother Vera in the stands, Dementieva said: "My mom was very supportive and inspiring. She was always there for me. It is emotional for her as well. I love you mom."
Players lined up to pay tribute to a fellow competitor they described as a true pro.
"She has been one of the players I grew up with playing in juniors. It's nice to see her looking forward to something new in her life," Kim Clijsters said, holding back tears. "She has been the most professional of players, one of the nicest girls on the court."
Second-ranked Vera Zvonareva said she had heard Dementieva talk about retiring during a year in which was often was sidelined with injuries. She withdrew from the this month's Luxembourg Open with ankle problems and earlier in the year from a tournament in Dubai because of shoulder problems.
"Elena is a great player and I think she has been great inspiration for a lot of lot young Russians," said Zvonareva, also from Russia. "She was a role model. I looked up to her. She had such a great career. Right now, the whole country will be sad and everyone will support her,"
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