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Hello to all my dear fans!!!

On Monday I’m going to Germany to check my back again. Unfortunately I don’t know if and when I’ll return.

A part from that, all this time I’ve been in Moscow with my family! One week I went to Greece to the island Corfu!!! It’s so beautiful. I love Greek people; they are all so friendly!!! And the food, mmmmm. I have no comment about it other than, it’s just delicious!!!! I must say you can describe Greece in three words: live, life, laughing.
 
September 28 was the first time in my life I was as a presenter at the leukemia charity event, Alternative Hair Show. It was in Kremlin Palace, so some new experiences for me.

I tried to play some tennis this summer with my friend, but I couldn’t. I had to stop after 15 minutes because the pain was just too much.

And of course I went to Elena Dementieva’s wedding!!!! It was so beautiful and they’re such a beautiful couple!!!! I’m really happy for them!!! Well, that’s all for now!!! If u want to be more in touch with me, follow me on twitter!!!

Miss and love all my fans!!!!
Take care of yourselves and the people around you!!!

Hello my dear fans,

It has been a really long time since I updated you guys about myself!!!!

Please forgive me for that, I will try to keep you updated as often as I can. I also left twitter BUT I have GOOD news for you because I’m thinking of coming back there!!! Many of you were asking why I left twitter. It was not easy for me when I needed everyone’s support after losing to Kimiko Date, and some people posted some not very nice comments, which I think wasn’t fair. But let’s not talk about that let’s think about good news that I’m thinking of getting back in touch with all of you!

So let’s start here!!!!

Well it was one of the worst years of my career. Many things have happened and it feels like my life changed 180 degrees from being #2 in the world to #63. Starting with my injury, of course and everything that followed. Those were very tough moments for me but I want to thank my real fans who have always supported me!!

Let’s look back period per period, starting with the months January to May:
Before my injury in Australia, I did really good pre-season preparation, working really hard. But after my match against Maria the next morning the tests (MRI and CT scan) showed that there was a stress fracture on L5S1 and I also had a rupture of the muscle. You can imagine how I felt, I don’t even know how I managed to pack my bag and sit in the plane because I couldn’t move my back and I had so much pain. I took 3 months off, I was doing treatment every day but of course I couldn’t play any tennis not even conditioning training. I was only doing biking for 45 min and some exercises for the shoulders and a little bit for the legs which were not putting any pressure on my lumbar.  I was doing every month an MRI to check on my back and was going to the tennis court to see if it was any better. Until April I was not able to go on court without feeling pain in my back. Finally, when it was getting better, I started to hit for 15 minutes at a time.

Basically, before the start of the clay court season I was not able to practice much. However, the decision was taken with my ex-team to go ahead and participate in the events in Stuttgart, Rome and Madrid. It didn’t go well at all (

This resulted in a big crisis between me and my team, which resulted in ending our cooperation.

The split with my ex team before the French Open:
Well, I heard many opinions about this matter! After I took the decision in Madrid to split with my ex team everybody was asking WHY? Unfortunately, I cannot give an answer to this but it was one of the toughest decisions which I ever had to make; it was the worst moment of my life. Today I would really like to thank Zeljko, Dejan and Tomislav (who helped me through rehab in Croatia). To Zeljko and Dejan I want to thank them a lot for everything that we have achieved as a TEAM. We went from nothing to the very top. Pity we haven’t won a Grand Slam together as a team but we’ve been in 3 finals and also the finals of the Olympic Games. What we achieved I don’t think that many teams have achieved in one and half years.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL OF IT

My New Argentinean Team:
Taking the decision during the Madrid combined event I spoke a lot with my brother and he suggested that I work for a few weeks with Hernan Gumy (Hernan was an ex coach of my brother) who could help with his experience. So we agreed to work together from mid May till the French Open. In fact, Hernan was working already with Ernests Gulbis but I was allowed to integrate their group. I would like to thank Ernests for that.  This helped me because I felt lost in the tennis world with the feeling that everything was starting from scratch for me!

After a while Hernan spoke to me about Gaston Etlis.  I could remember that I had played mixed doubles against him (of course I beat him…).  So we started our cooperation at the French Open. The start was anything but positive as I lost first round to…Kimiko Date…..couldn’t start worse. The French Open has always been a special event in my heart.  I have had incredible feelings and memories there. Losing so badly hurt me a lot.

We decided to stay in Paris and prepare for grass court events. The Racing Club has a great grass court. I think it is the most beautiful club which I have ever been to. From Paris we went to Holland where I also lost in the first round to Rybarikova. It was also very disappointing but she was better that day and after that match (maybe because of the grass courts or the length of the match), my back pain reappeared. Practicing for Wimbledon the pain increased and forced me to pull out of that prestigious event. Another setback!:-(( I had nothing left to do and decided to go back to Moscow for 10 days.

Moscow:
It’s always nice to go back home after a long travel time! I like to spend time with my friends and my family.  I have my own apartment there.  There I like to relax and cook, not only for me but also for my friends and family. I prepare cakes and nice sweet things.

Argentina:
After 10 days resting in Moscow, I left for Buenos Aires accompanied by my mother. It was time to practice for the North American events, called the US Open Series.

I was there for 3 weeks but had to start really very slowly. Because of my back, I had to take time for the rehab; doing about 2 hours in the morning of stretching together with exercises for the core. It was so boring but it was a MUST!!!!!  So again I started to practice very slowly with tennis step by step!!! At the end of my 3rd week I played some points and moved around the court more or less pain free depending on the day and on my physical condition.

Trip to America-US Open Series starting:
Starting with Stanford and again Kimiko (ha ha ha). I lost again but that day she was really better than me!  She played some amazing points in the important moments. The message for me: keep up the hard work because you are not there yet and far away from your best level.

San Diego – my first win after 5 first round exits. You cannot imagine the joy I felt, guys. Some days I thought I could never win a match again! Radwanska beat me next round. She played very good and I needed some matches to get into a rhythm.

Slowly, slowly I started to win one, two rounds. Another sad moment was the US Open where I lost against Daniela but she played very good that day!

After NY I went back to Moscow and I practiced a little bit with my brother. It was so much fun because he is a tough coach but still my brother. He even broke a racket practicing with me. Some habits never go away. Funny.  I enjoyed it a lot.  Thank you Marat for taking time for me.

Trip to Asia:
First time in Seoul. Impressive city and friendly people, also at the event.  Thank you to the tournament director for giving me a wildcard.

Tokyo and Beijing.  Well, these were my last tournaments of the year. Enough of 2010, let’s look at the future. I had to put aside the last first round loses there as well. Too many losses this year.

Back home and vacations:
It was so nice to be back home in Moscow because all this traveling and living in hotels gets you tired.  Particularly when you keep on losing. I needed this break!

What did I do during this time? Simply nothing, just enjoying it. Again cooking for friends and family. Some of the desserts I know how to do include carrot cake, apple pie, tiramisu and lemon pie. But also did lamb (not a desert…). I went to the movie theaters and simply enjoyed time with family and friends. But vacations are not forever, so on November 1st I packed my bags and started to work hard again!

Argentina:
I am now in Buenos Aires, as I decided to take a long pre-season preparation time. I need it! Daily program consists of physical training (conditioning and back) but also tennis. 

I’m here with my mother. She is always with me when I’m practicing and soon my father will be coming as well, and even my brother. I am very happy to see them all again, as I miss them often during the year. Apart from practicing, me and my mother went to watch polo. The team that we’ve been supporting, Chapolefue, lost, but still it was a great match. For me they are the best. Thank you to Eduardo el “RUSO” for inviting me to his match.

Then we went to visit Tandil. A small city from where tennis champions originated. It is a very beautiful city.  I don’t remember when was the last time I did so much sightseeing! If you love cheese you would find Epoca de Queso a paradise.

I’m going be in Argentina till the end of the month and from here I’m going straight to Auckland. My first tournament in 2011 and I am looking forward to a new season!

My wish is to be able to play a full year healthy and where I can work hard to come back!

Dear Fans, that’s all for now. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog.
                  
I love you all,
Dinara

PS: if you have any questions, write to me on twitter.  I promise I will answer.

On her emotions during the lay-off: “I saw what I would be doing without tennis. I can’t sit at home or stay in one place; it’s just not me. You miss the adrenaline, the competition, the nerves before a match… every athlete misses this. I’m still full of energy and desire to play tennis. Hopefully, I can play many more years.”

On coming back this week: “This will be my first tournament after being out of competition for about three months, and it will be the first big test for my back. I’ve been practicing here and I’m feeling good physically, and it’s not bothering me at all. Let’s hope my back problems are done for good.”

On her expectations: “I don’t have any. I can’t come in here and say I’m going to win it. All of these tournaments in the next few weeks, it’s all a test. Doesn’t matter how I hit or where I hit the ball – just standing on the court, I’m happy.”

All this time I’ve been here in Croatia, it’s been very nice and the people are very friendly and they always want to help. I’m really enjoying it here.

During all this time I was doing a lot of biking. This was the only thing i could do to stay in shape! I was doing some shoulder and leg exercise too, so I wasn’t on the hotel bed all the time!

During this time time to entertain myself I was watching Desperate Housewifes!! I love them!!!! And I also red the book from Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol. It’s a really amazing book!!!!

And now I’m reading from Dostoevsky Crime and Prime. Also very, very interesting!!!

Well now at least I started slowly to practice, so I’m much happier being on court, and I hope that you’ll see me soon!!!

Also as I had more time I was learning how to cook!!! I really enjoy doing it, and from what I’ve cooked so far, nobody got sick, so that’s good news. However, if they liked it or not, you better ask them )

In Australia I bought two books from Julia Child and I cooked mille feuille. My mother tried it and she liked it. I also did tiramisu. My parents LOVE my carrot cake. I love doing desserts, but it’s a pity I didn’t get to try  any of them yet, as I’m keeping to my diet, and I also promissed my team that from the 28th  of October until my birthday I won’t eat any sweets or chocolate. I did this because I was a little bit overweight by the end of the year, but it was the most stupid idea that I could ever come up with. Because many times I’m lying in my hotel bed and thinking about the HUGE chocolate cake I’ll eat for my birthday!! I don’t like chocolate so much, but i love chocolate muffin or cakes!!! So after my birthday, if you see me with a small belly, it means that i really enjoyed my birthday!!! Just joking!!!

Well that’s all for now. I miss all of you guys. Cross your fingers for me and you’ll see me soon.

Dinara

Hello everyone!!!! I’m missing all of you as much as you are missing me.

I’m still in Croatia doing my recovery with my physio Tomislav Vrbnjak. He is really one of the best I’ve ever had in my life and he is really taking the best care of me.

My injury from Australia was pretty bad and takes so long to heal. The problem is that I had it since Cincinnati last year, and since then had been playing all the time while on pain killers. My back was really bad there but I didn’t feel anything the rest of the season until my last match at the Australian Open.

After that match, I had an MRI and I had two stress fractures on L5S1 and a rupture on the muscle. That was the worst news I could ever hear from a doctor, but now finally I’m recovering, though not as fast as I would prefer. My physio is really taking care of me and I’m slowly starting to practice.

Hello from Monaco!

The rehab for my back is going pretty good. I’m almost fully recovered and have been starting to practice again, so it’s definitely going in the right direction. I’m feeling better and better every day, and I’m happy to be doing it in Monaco, which is like my second home, after Moscow of course. I love spending time here.

A typical day for me here is lots of time in the gym! In the morning I have to do special exercises for my lower back, then I go on the court a little bit and play tennis, then I take a nap! After that I cook some lunch for myself then go back on court again to play just a little bit more, then it’s back to the gym for more exercises on my back. As you can see I’m spending a lot of time on the lower back!

Despite the injury, 2009 was my best season so far. I’m really proud of it. I’m really happy with myself and with the job my team did – we got to No.1! I finished with my highest year-end ranking ever, No.2, won two big tournaments and one smaller one, made two Grand Slam finals… it was just amazing. It was all maybe too much for my body but I can’t blame anyone for that. I’m very happy with my year.

Looking to 2010, the most important thing is recovering from my injury and staying healthy. It’s my first priority. Right now I don’t even care how the results go, because once I’m healthy, the results will come. I want to be happy going on court and playing without pain. Hopefully I can play fully healthy in Australia and I’ll just go from there.

I’m excited about the holidays. In Russia we don’t do Christmas but we do New Year’s. I’m going back to Moscow from the 23rd to the 26th and then coming back here, so I’ll be here for New Year’s. I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be nice to spend time with family and friends.

I want to thank you all for supporting me. I always read your comments on my website and I’m trying to recover and get fit for 2010, so I can hopefully show you all some good tennis again! I’m thankful for all of the nice things you write in, don’t give up on me. I’ll do my best!

If anyone is in Monaco you are welcome to come and see me practice, I’m here until the 23rd then I’ll be back from the 26th to January 1. I’d be happy to see you!

Have a great holiday and talk to you all again soon,

Dinara

I was thrilled to find out about becoming the new No.1 in the world.
 
It was something I’ve aimed to achieve ever since I began competing as an athlete, and I can’t believe I finally achieved it all these years later. It’s especially nice to know that Marat and I are the only brother-sister combo to achieve this feat.  

I want to thank my coach and family for all their support to help me reach this goal. It would not have been possible without them. However, I have many more goals ahead of me, including hopefully winning my first Grand Slam and many more tournaments.
 
I also want to thank all my fans. They make this accomplishment all the more enjoyable.