Elena Dementieva Announces Retirement in Surprise Doha Ceremony

After losing her final round robin match at the year-end championships in Doha 6-4, 6-2 to Francesca Schiavone, Elena Dementieva announced her retirement from professional tennis in a surprise on-court ceremony.

Not a dry eye in the house, as all available players entered in the tournament participated in a small ceremony with brief speeches from Dementieva, WTA CEO Stacy Allister, her Russian compatriot, Vera Zvonareva

Dementieva won the 2008 Olympic gold medal, the 2000 Olympic silver medal, and reached a career high ranking of #3.  She made two grand slam finals, and an additional seven grand slam semifinals.  She will go down in history as without a doubt the best player not to have won a grand slam.

The timing of this is totally unexpected and pretty shocking, considering how close to the top of the game she still was.  More details as they emerge.