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Anna DmitrievaSports journalist
Date of Birth: 10.12.1940
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Anna Dmitrieva
- Tennis Court Childhood
- Early Tennis Career
- Rise to Success
- National and International Success
- Retired Life and Broadcasting Career
- Anna Dmitrieva currently resides and works in Moscow.
Biography of Anna Dmitrieva
Anna Dmitrieva, a renowned sports journalist, was born on December 10, 1940. She grew up in an artistic environment, surrounded by creative elites. Her father, Vladimir Vladimirovich Dmitriev, was the chief artist of the Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT), while her mother was a famous actress. Her stepfather, Kirill Vladimirovich Molchanov, was a composer, and her stepbrother, Vladimir Kirillovich Molchanov, was a well-known author and television presenter.
Tennis Court Childhood
Anna first encountered the tennis court at the "Pestovo" vacation home near Moscow, where the MXAT members often spent their summers. As a young girl, she would witness intense tennis battles among the actors, filled with drama and excitement. Anna's great-uncle, Vsevolod Alexeevich Verbitsky, was a highly respected and revered figure among the MXAT veterans. He was regarded as the greatest tennis player of his time. However, Anna never had the chance to see him play, as he was already gravely ill by the time he began teaching her how to hold a racket. Despite his untimely passing, Anna developed a deep love for tennis and rarely parted with her racket.
Early Tennis Career
Anna dedicated herself to tennis and quickly excelled in the sport. The MXAT members predicted a bright future for her, believing that she had inherited the talent of her great-uncle. Eventually, Anna faced a crucial decision between pursuing ballet, a dream shared by many young girls, or fully committing to tennis. The final choice was made at the home of Boris Erdman, a close family friend and theater artist. During a dinner at his house, he introduced Anna to the famous tennis champion Nina Sergeevna Teplyakova. Impressed by Anna's talent and passion for the sport, Teplyakova invited her to join the tennis section of the "Dynamo" Sports Club. Little did Anna know that she would proudly represent this club for over a decade.
Rise to Success
On January 11, 1953, filled with great pride, 13-year-old Anna Dmitrieva stood by the walls of the indoor courts at the "Dynamo" stadium. Initially, like all beginners, she practiced against the wall. Her first tennis lessons were given by Nina Nikolaevna Leo, a top-ranking Soviet tennis player who also coached the junior girls' group at "Dynamo." Anna enjoyed her training immensely, despite feeling like an outsider in the sports environment, which was very different from her life at school and home.
Anna's first real competition came by chance. At the end of her first summer in tennis, a team was short of a younger girl for the Moscow team championship. Everyone was searching for a replacement, and Anna Dmitrieva caught the eye of the head coach, B.I. Novikov, as she strolled around the stadium in her new tennis slippers. Although she lost her first match, within a year, she participated in the same championship as the reigning champion and easily defeated her opponents from other clubs in the city.
National and International Success
Anna Dmitrieva's game grew more confident, and her victories became increasingly remarkable. She became the national champion in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in various years. Her success extended to national and international competitions, including the prestigious Wimbledon tournament. Anna represented the Soviet Union in the first delegation to participate in Wimbledon in 1958. She had a successful debut, winning the Beckenham Junior Tournament and reaching the final of the main youth tournament, where she lost to the American player Sallie Moore. Her victory over the English champion, J. Truman, was considered a blow to England's national pride and a testament to Anna's exceptional skills.
Anna's game continued to improve, and she became known for her technical prowess, ability to anticipate her opponents' moves, and a wide range of shots. She was a pioneer of offensive play, utilizing tactics of quick attacks, varied shots at the net, and powerful, slightly sliced shots from the baseline. Anna Dmitrieva maintained her reputation as the strongest Soviet tennis player and remained unbeatable on the court for many years.
Retired Life and Broadcasting Career
Following her retirement from professional tennis, Anna Dmitrieva pursued her academic interests. She studied at Moscow State University, graduating from the Faculty of Philology in 1966. She then worked as a coach at "Dynamo" Sports Club from 1969 to 1973. In 1975, she embarked on a broadcasting career, initially working for the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company of the USSR. Since 1991, she has been a sports commentator on Russian Television and is currently serving as the Deputy Director of the "NTV Plus Sport" channel. Anna's insightful and concise commentaries have garnered her immense respect and popularity among tennis enthusiasts. In 1997, she received the "Golden Microphone" award for the best sports commentator on Russian television.
Anna Dmitrieva's authority in tennis is indisputable, and her professionalism is widely recognized. Her expertise and comprehensive understanding of the sport have made her a sought-after commentator. Since 1995, she has been broadcasting live from the Wimbledon tennis tournament on NTV, attracting a large audience despite the time difference between London and Russia. In collaboration with famous Russian tennis player and Wimbledon finalist Alexander Metreveli, Anna Dmitrieva provided exclusive coverage of the tournament from 1995 to 1999.
In addition to her broadcasting career, Anna Dmitrieva organized and sponsored tennis competitions in Moscow from 1986 to 1991. She is also the author of the book "Play Your Game" (Moscow, 1972), which delves into the intricacies of tennis.
