From tennis

From tennis.net:

Elena Dementieva is no 孏ennis Lolita?as tennis.net columnist Stephen Wood discovers in this exclusive interview with the Russian star. Elena Dementieva is determined to chisel out a reputation as the anti-Anna.

And while she continues to shy away from the spotlight that has become increasingly trained on her star qualities, the Russian is successfully distancing herself from her more illustrious compatriot.

The Moscow press has been particularly eager to portray Dementieva and Anna Kournikova, their new icons, as two of a kind.

Their ages, backgrounds and long, blonde hair make comparisons inevitable.

But as Kournikova embraces stardom like a divine right, her fellow 19-year-old deals with new-found fame like she needs some divine intervention.

Fidgety and insecure, her performances in front of the world𠏋 media are in stark contrast to the bombast of her game, which, unlike Kournikova, is already yielding success.

But Dementieva is able to convey clearly one issue close to her heart. 𨧻 am not at all tempted by the title of 騻ennis Lolita??she said.

𨧻 am trying to prove myself on the court ?not off it. In fact, I am not much of a model for showbusiness in any way.

𨧻 hate being paid so much attention and it has been giving me a hard time recently. Some want to achieve and others want to have fame and fortune. I need my privacy.

𨧻 want neither big money nor big fame. I want everything in moderation.?

All of which could present problems because, as Dementieva accelerates her rise to what she believes is her destiny as number one in the world, the prying eyes are only going to become more intense.

The last three months of the season have catapulted Dementieva into the public consciousness.

Her progress to the semi-finals of the US Open in September was quickly followed by a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics ?an achievement she already believes will never be bettered throughout her career.

On her debut at the Chase Championships here at Madison Square Garden, she has eliminated Lindsay Davenport en route to the last four, where she was due to play childhood hero, Monica Seles.

As luck, or perhaps fate, would have it, Kournikova will await her in the final on Sunday if she can shock Martina Hingis in their semi-final match.

Dementieva is well prepared for such an eventuality. 𨯗nna and I have known each other a long time,?she said, 弎ecause we have always been two of the top four Russian players since we were very young.

𠐓ut I think we are different people. Nowadays we do not have much time to be friends because of the Tour, but it is just the press who say we are rivals. We are not rivals ?there is enough room out there for the both of us.?

Dementieva is about to graduate to Kournikova𠏋 big league off the court. She might not make quite as much as Kournikova𠏋 reported annual endorsement salary of ?2 million, but Dementieva has this week signed her affairs away to a sports management group for the first time in her two-year professional career.

The group is Octagon, who, unsurprisingly, represent Kournikova. Sponsorship deals are in the pipeline for Dementieva, who, as well as being rather eligible, is a quick learner. 𨯗gent and boyfriend is same thing, yes??she quips.

There is a sense of humour trying to get out, so hopefully no-one will remind her she is 𪃡orking?for the WTA.

In fact, there is a serious side, for the WTA has experienced immediate problems with Dementieva𠏋 commitment to their publicity drives in the wake of her deal with Octagon. She has refused to fulfil her contractual obligations in New York, leaving many in no doubt as to how conscious she is of her 𪃡orth?

CNN/SI from CNN and Sports Illustrated World Sport Tennis

Rising New Stars

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(1817 previous messages)

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lucifer6880 - 08:43pm Nov 22, 2000 ET (#1818 of 2156)

*TINA2001*

Perhaps her stubbornness is borne out of her childhood experience of the game. Having been inspired to take up tennis after watching the play of her mother and father, as well as Seles and Graf circa 1988, a seven-year-old Dementieva approached the famous Spartak sports club in Moscow for membership.

They turned her away, insisting that her movement and instinct were not good enough. So she went to their rivals, the Central Red Army Club, or CSKA club, for assistance. Soon, Spartak realised their mistake and tried to woo this future star back to their stable. Dementieva was having none of it.

Ultimately, if she can improve her service and her net game, she should become the complete player Spartak never anticipated.

For the moment, she is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents to breakthrough to the women𠏋 elite. The power she generates on both wings is unrivalled, even by the Williams sisters and Davenport.

The change she appreciates most is the respect she is now afforded by the likes of the Williams sisters who, as recently as six months ago, were paying her scant regard.

Change, however, is a rude word for Dementieva. Her life has changed so much that she has just experienced her first case of the obsessed fan, but of herself, Dementieva insists: 𨯗ll this will not change me. I desperately want to remain the same person.?

And while she might regard an agent and boyfriend as the same thing right now, you get the impression she is not the type who will enjoy making a bed with a sports representative for too long.

Her deadpan finale is key. Does she anticipate 䫿lena-mania?similar to 飊nna-mania? 幞o,?she replies. 孏here will be no manias