Former world number three Elena Dementieva, who retired from the WTA tour at the end of 2010 season, has entered a new phase in her life after marrying longtime boyfriend Maxim Afinogenov, a hockey star, at a memorable ceremony at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Moscow, Russia on July 16, 2011.
The wedding took place on the hotel’s rooftop while the reception was held on the second floor. The union was witnessed by the couples’ families, friends and fellow athletes in their respective fields of sport.
The tennis players seen at the venue were Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Vera Zvonareva, Dinara Safina, Elena Vesnina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ekaterina Makarova, Vera Dushevina, Igor Andreev, Maria Kirilenko and Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev. Video messages from Kim Clijsters, Caroline Wozniacki and Roger Federer were viewed during the reception.
Dementieva won 16 titles during her stint at the WTA tour. She also finished runner-up 16 times, including her two Grand Slam final runs in 2004 [French & US Open]. She’s also a multiple Olympic medalist, having won silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
