The World according to Elena Dementieva

From March 2001 issue of Tennis Magazine

When asked if she thinks she looks more like Steffi Graf or Darryl Hannah, Elena Dementieva blushed at being compared to the former (her idol) and didn't know the latter. Asked if she had an endorsement deal, an agent, or a boyfriend, she paused then asked: "Does agent mean boyfriend?"

You'll forgive the 19 year-old from Moscow if she's still getting the hand of the English language thing. But after a breakthrough performance in 2000 in which she reached the semis of the US Open, won a silver medal in Sydney, and finished the year with a semifinal appearance at her first Chase Championships, let it be said that Dementieva pretty much has it all - except a boyfriend.

With the help of a translator, Dementieva talked more about rocks her world

Her newfound fame: "No, I don't like this. You know it is a lot of pressure"

If she weren't a tennis player: "My grnadmother wanted me to be a dentist but I would prefer to be a veterinian. My grandmother and uncle are doctors, so it's in the family to go into medicine"

Second favourite game: "I used to play chess a little with my brother. Chess, I guess has helped my tennis strategy."

Favourite meal: "Mostly I like potatoe chips, but that's when my mother is not watching (laughs)"

House of style: "I don't have any favourite brands (of clothing) but I do like blue and black"

Favourite groups: "I like Russian music, maybe stuff you have not heard of: the female Russian singer Andrei Mironov and the rock group Zembhir"

Nicknames: "Growing up, my friends teased me about being so tall and called me petite"

Languages: "Russian, French and English in that order"

Greatest sports moment: "The Olympics in 2000, when I won a silver medal for Russia. Also, I remember in 1996 that was very important back home"

First car: "I'm thinking about getting a Volkswagon Bora (Jetta is the US version). It's dangerous to have a fancy car in Moscow because you can lose it quickly. Something simpler is better."

What makes her laugh and cry:  "Tennis"