Olympic champion Dementieva announces retirement

Russian Elena Dementieva, who won gold at the 2008 Olympic Games, announced her retirement from tennis at the WTA Championships on Thursday.

The 29-year-old, who won 16 Tour titles and was runner-up in two Grand Slams, made the surprise announcement at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Qatar after losing in straight sets to Francesca Schiavone.

"I would like to thank all the people around the world for supporting me," Dementieva told the crowd as her mother and several players at the season-ending tournament wiped away tears.

"I'm so emotional and it's so hard to say goodbye," she added.

Her compatriot Vera Zvonareva took the microphone and thanked Dementieva for her contribution to sport back home.

"Russia is proud of you," said Zvonareva.

"You have done so much not only for Russian tennis but for sport in Russia. You have been an inspiration, a role model for kids growing up," she added.

Dementieva, making her 10th appearance at the prestigious year-end tournament, reached a career-high ranking of third last year and won more than $14 million in prize money.