Zvonareva becomes wife, mother

Remember Vera Zvonareva? That question is hardly rhetorical, as the Russian, a former Wimbledon singles and doubles finalist, has dropped out of sight in pro tennis in recent years. (A slew of injuries certainly helped her cause.)

Kim Clijsters remarked a few years ago that she could hardly tell which way Zvonareva's backhand shot would go, so well disguised it was. Turns out the mercurial player, once as high as No. 2 in the WTA ranks, is also crafty at cloaking her new family life from the public eye.

"Dear friends! Over the past couple of years I wasn't posting much due to lots of injuries and inability to compete...but there is more to life then just sports (even though I love sports!)," Zvonareva writes on Instagram. "No matter what, this year is a very fruitful year for me... I became a wife and a mother! Having family feels amazing! But no matter what sport will always play a huge part in my life! Therefore, see you on Eurosport channel soon where I will try to take a commentator's role during this year's US Open!"

Zvonareva had previously been coaxed out of social-media "hiding" by the Olympic doubles gold-medal effort by her countrywomen, Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. Prior to opining on that via Instagram, she hadn't posted to the platform in more than three months.

Zvonereva will turn 32 on September 7, and reports that she's set to become a Eurosport tennis commentator during that impending major tournament. Her stature and performance in the TV business remains to be seen. That said, with her past of emotional exits from tournaments (see: US Open versus Flavia Pennetta, 2009) and ESPN the Magazine Body Issue appearance, she's come a long way, baby.