Spend a lot of time touring the world?

Oh, yes. I travel four or five times a week, so I spend my life in different hotels.

How do you make a hotel room feel a bit more like home?

I either carry a little toy or my favourite books — it makes all the difference.

Three things that you always carry?

A dictionary, a couple of books in Russian, so that I don’t forget my own language, and pictures of my family and my dogs.

Are you an active person off the court?

I like to run or play soccer. I love sports and don’t like to be off my fitness regimen for too long — I know how hard it is to get back to it.

Do you ever relax completely?

Two days is all that I can do without sport.

Do you go back to Russia a lot?

I was born in Moscow and now live in Monte Carlo, but whenever I get the chance I go back to see my friends and family.

Do you holiday in a dacha?

My mother loves the dacha but, to be honest, I am not a very big fan of it.

Ever get any pre-flight jitters?

I try not to think about it. When I see things on the news it doesn't make me too happy, but I travel so much that I am used to it now.

Best holiday memory?

I travelled all over the US last year with my boyfriend. New York is one of my favourite cities because it reminds me of Moscow, and you never have a dull day there!

Tips for stepping off the plane in style?

Makeup! I tend to sleep a lot, too, and I try not to eat anything on the plane. If I have to eat on a plane, I take my own fruit or salad.

First class or economy?

Business class.

Culture or the beach?

Both. I like to learn about different cultures, meet people. I don’t like to lose the opportunities that I am given.

B&B or five-star hotel?

I’m sick of hotels. It’s nice to rent an apartment and have a normal life.

Top travel tip?

Try to sleep for a couple of hours on the flight — and drink lots of water.

Elena Dementieva is working with Evian, the official bottled water at Wimbledon

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