Biography
The trademark long hair, mesmerizing eyes and the ability to knock out any serve sent her way; Anna Kournikova is the lady in question here. Seeing her play is like watching a beauty in motion. Kournikova, besides being an accomplished Russian professional tennis player although semi-retired now due to spinal problem, is also an established model. Her specialty lies in the doubles game with her superb timing and quick response to her partner’s call. In fact, she has won two Grand Slam titles in Australia in 1999 and 2002 with Martina Hingis, making her No. 1 doubles player.
Anna was born as Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova on June 7, 1981 in Moscow in the former Soviet Union to Alla and Sergei Kournikov. She later along with her mother relocated to United States. Anna’s current abode is in Miami Beach, Florida. Owing to her recurring back and spinal problems, she is however relegated to play in occasional exhibitions and in doubles for the St. Louis Aces of World Team Tennis.
Upon entering her teen years, Anna shined among the international junior tennis with winning many tournaments and championships. As a matter of fact, while she was still 14, in 1995 she earned the tag of Junior European Champion Under 18 and ITF Junior World Champion Under 18.
Tennis Career
Kournikova professionally debuted in Fed Cup at the age of 14 becoming the youngest player in the history of tennis. Next year, she took everyone by surprise and managed to reach the fourth round of U.S. Open 1996 where she finally bowed out upon being beaten by Steffi Graph. She was also made a member of the Russian delegation participating in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Kournikova didn’t stop there only. In 1997, at the mere age of 16, she successfully made it to the semi-finals of Wimbledon, where she lost to the eventual champion, Martina Hingis by a score of 6–3, 6–2.
In 1998, she beat the then top three ladies of the tennis kingdom being, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and Steffi Graf. She has won a total of 16 tournaments as doubles players including the two Australian Open in 1999 and 2002 with Martina Hingis as her partner and also reached the finals in mixed doubles category at the U.S. Open and at Wimbledon. Her terrific performances in these matches are the reason for her no. 1 ranking in doubles in the Women's Tennis Association tour rankings. Her pro career doubles record was 200-71. Her performance as a singles player however wasn’t so satisfactory. Although Kournikova managed to stay between the rankings of 10 to 15, she couldn’t surpass her highest rank so far i.e. of 8.Anna only reached four finals out of 130 singles tournaments, never in a Grand Slam event, and never won one. Her singles record is 209-129.
The player who was once known for her footspeed and aggressive baseline play, and excellent angles and dropshots has not yet played any WTA tour since 2003 due to various injuries especially back problem. But Anna continues to play in exhibition matches for charities. She ahs so far attended and played in three events organized by Elton John and by fellow tennis players Serena Williams and Andy Roddick (2004), doubles charity event for the Indian Ocean tsunami with John McEnroe, Roddick, and Chris Evert (2005) and the WTT finals for charity with Martina Hingis against Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur (2005). She is a member of the St. Louis Aces in the World Team Tennis (WTT), playing doubles only and K-Swiss spokesperson.
Anna with her charming good looks has also enticed the whole world with her foray into modeling. Since her U.S.Open debut in 1996, she has been adorned with many modeling assignments and her photos are splashed in every possible nook and corner. Among these the most noted ad campaigns done by her are Berlei's shock absorber sports bras ("only the ball should bounce" billboard campaign) , Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (2004 - 2005), FHM and Maxim magazines etc.
Her personal life too have always been under the speculating eye of media with rumors of her secret marriage and then divorce to NHL ice hockey star Sergei Fedorov in 2001. She then got into a relationship with pop star Enrique Iglesias in 2003. The couple got close when Ana made an appearance in his music video, “Escape”. The rumor mill also did the round regarding their alleged marriage and later separation but nothing in confirmation came from both the parties. The couple later got separated in 2007.
The lady who topped the charts with being voted in People's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2003 consecutively and achieving the top place in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World, still hopes to make a come back to professional tennis once she restores herself to fully fit.
