The following story is one of persistence and perseverance. Through a lot of hard work over the years, Anna Chakvetadze has made it in the tennis world. Outranked by many on the junior circuit and never the most able player in Russia during her childhood, Chakvetadze fought hard to climb the ranks as a junior.
Chakvetadze took a few years as a pro before finally finding her way in 2006. With wins in Guangzhou and Moscow at the end of the year, Chakvetadze broke through as a pro. This was the beginning of a run that would bring her game to another level.
Chakvetadze kept her family close to her during her ascent, and this greatly benefited her mental state. It's often difficult for a young pro to travel around the world alone, without the support of their family. Photographers and magazines quickly took on to Anna's looks, and she became the focus of many photo shoots as well.
In 2007, Chakvetadze really hit her stride. Her return looked better than ever, and through the course of the year, she won five tournaments. This brought her to a career best #5 ranking, and she capped off a great year with a run to the semifinals at the US Open.
While Anna was on top of the world, things changed at the end of 2007. In December of that year, her home was attacked by robbers and she was literally tied up with a gun held to her. The burglars seriously beat her father as well, and over $300,000 in things were taken from her home. Like anyone else who might experience this, the event had a very serious impact on Chakvetadze's emotional state.
Due to the effect that this event had on her psyche, 2008 was an extremely challenging year for Anna. While she tried every day to focus on tennis and her well being, she had much difficulty, and the level of play she exhibited in 2007 quickly dissipated.
In 2009, Chakvetadze is still fighting as hard as she can to restore her spirit and bring herself back to her previous state. While this will be a difficult task to say the least, the New York crowd at the US Open is well aware of her struggles, and will be behind her in its desire to see her return to her 2007 form.
Anna continues her quest for tennis glory and living life. She tries daily to move on from the traumatic event on Dec 18, 2007 and one can only hope she does. The criminals may have taken some of her things, but she has hope, health and dignity and the support of crowds where she goes.
Chakvetadze took a few years as a pro before finally finding her way in 2006. With wins in Guangzhou and Moscow at the end of the year, Chakvetadze broke through as a pro. This was the beginning of a run that would bring her game to another level.
Chakvetadze kept her family close to her during her ascent, and this greatly benefited her mental state. It's often difficult for a young pro to travel around the world alone, without the support of their family. Photographers and magazines quickly took on to Anna's looks, and she became the focus of many photo shoots as well.
In 2007, Chakvetadze really hit her stride. Her return looked better than ever, and through the course of the year, she won five tournaments. This brought her to a career best #5 ranking, and she capped off a great year with a run to the semifinals at the US Open.
While Anna was on top of the world, things changed at the end of 2007. In December of that year, her home was attacked by robbers and she was literally tied up with a gun held to her. The burglars seriously beat her father as well, and over $300,000 in things were taken from her home. Like anyone else who might experience this, the event had a very serious impact on Chakvetadze's emotional state.
Due to the effect that this event had on her psyche, 2008 was an extremely challenging year for Anna. While she tried every day to focus on tennis and her well being, she had much difficulty, and the level of play she exhibited in 2007 quickly dissipated.
In 2009, Chakvetadze is still fighting as hard as she can to restore her spirit and bring herself back to her previous state. While this will be a difficult task to say the least, the New York crowd at the US Open is well aware of her struggles, and will be behind her in its desire to see her return to her 2007 form.
Anna continues her quest for tennis glory and living life. She tries daily to move on from the traumatic event on Dec 18, 2007 and one can only hope she does. The criminals may have taken some of her things, but she has hope, health and dignity and the support of crowds where she goes.
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