Elena Dementieva: My London
Elena Dementieva hits the shops in King's Road and High Street Kensington...
Home is...
Monaco, but if I lived in London I would like to be in Chelsea or Fulham as I love the King's Road and all its little shops. When I'm here I stay at the Millennium Hotel in Chelsea. A lot of the other players stay there, too. I like it because I can get to Wimbledon easily but it's also very close to the city centre.
Have you been away recently?
Last winter I visited Niagara Falls. It was so beautiful, it was like being in a fairy tale. Then I went skiing in Colorado. It was incomparable. Every summer I go to the Baltic Sea with my family. It's nice to catch up with my grandparents.
What animal would you most like to be?
A koala, so that I could sleep for 20 hours a day.
Where do you shop when you're in London?
I can't not go to Harrods, it caters for my every need. I absolutely love it.
What is your earliest London memory?
I was 12 years old when I first came to London. I remember going around the city on a big, red double-decker bus with my mother. I loved being so high up and remember thinking it was amazing the trees were touching the top of the bus.
What's your best London find?
I do like the pancakes from Giraffe in Kensington High Street. They are yummy.
What was the last thing you saw in London?
I only really come to London to play in the Wimbledon Championships, so many of my most vivid impressions are connected to the tournament. The most dramatic match I've ever seen was the men's final last year between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. It was absolutely amazing.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I adore dark chocolate.
What makes you laugh?
My French bulldog, Rocky, snoring next to my Yorkshire terrier, Patrick.
What's on your tombstone?
I think I would like to leave that for my family to decide.
What are you most afraid of?
Anything harming my family and my loved ones.
What's your philosophy?
Enjoy every day and find positive points even in the hardest moments.
What would you save from a fire?
My Olympic medals.
What makes you cry?
Leaving my family, losing tennis matches and sentimental movies.
Which is your favourite London street?
The King's Road because I can walk from my hotel. Also High Street Kensington because there are lots of ski shops. I love snow sports.
Who's your hero?
My mother.
What's the most romantic spot in London?
I don't have much time to see the whole of London but I'd have to say one of the bridges - Waterloo or Westminster.
What's your favourite London pub?
The Fire Stables in Wimbledon Village is lovely - we all go there after the tournament.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Some years ago at the US Open I was due to play a doubles match and got the time wrong. My partner's coach called me saying 'Where are you?' so I rushed to the site and was ten minutes and ten seconds late. For those ten seconds they defaulted us the match as ten minutes is the maximum delay time you're allowed. I couldn't look my partner or the fans in the eye.
Elena Dementieva is currently working with Evian ahead of Wimbledon; Evian is the official bottled water of the Championships at Wimbledon
