by Richard Lucas
Photo Credit to Mark Peterson

(April 30, 2011)
WTA No. 3, Vera Zvonareva, has found a new coach in fellow Russian, Karen Krotov, who will replace Sergei Demekhin. Demekhin was a former Abercrombie & Fitch model, as well as being Zvonareva's mixed doubles partner earlier in her career. Lasting longer than many of her previous coaches, Demekhin has been her coach for just over a year, and was in her corner during her runs to consecutive major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.

In an interview with Russia's Sports Express, Zvonareva expressed her biggest issue with her former coach, “It’s important for me to trust people who are close by. The team should be a single entity rather than a group of individuals with their own ambitions.” She felt that Demekhin was looking out for his own interests and potential earning income, moreso than his current charge. Problems first arose during the Fed Cup tie against Italy earlier this year when Zvonareva asked that Demekhin accompany her in Moscow. She believed it would be a valuable opportunity for the still young and inexperienced coach to work alongside the others involved with the national team.

Demekhin refused to attend, and has stated that he is the one that officially broke off the coaching agreement the Moscow native. Originally Zvonareva had sought Krutov to supplement her team in an effort to achieve that truly outstanding result that has so far eluded her, but Demekhin was against having another coach around. By the look of Demekhin's attitude, she did the right thing is parting ways with her former doubles partner.

Demekhin's statement on the split was only, "I have my own vision of her tennis, so when new person joined our team I didn’t want to take responsibility for his actions. That is why I decided to leave this team, because I don’t want to harm Vera. I want to continue working in women’s tennis. I have experience and I know girls’ psychology, so let’s wait for offers."