Anna Kournikova hardly looks different now aged 43 years after tennis star's life in public eye
Anna Kournikova was a tennis sensation in the 1990s and early 2000s, but her time in the spotlight was relatively short-lived as she stepped away from the sport at just 21
Anna Kournikova's tennis excellence saw the Russian beauty explode into fame in the late '90s and early 2000s. She became much more than a sports figure as she graced magazine covers, appeared in films, showcased her strut on catwalks, while displaying her sporting skills on celebrated courts like Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
She became one of Google's most searched individuals, winning hearts with her charm and being dubbed the "Spice Girls of tennis" with former on-court partner Martina Hingis.
Despite her immense popularity, many wonder why Kournikova left the pro tennis scene at just 21. Now 43, Kournikova has embraced a new life chapter away from the competitive tennis circuits.
Born to a sporty family in Moscow in 1981 – with a father who was an academic in physical education and a mother who excelled as a 400-meter sprinter – her dedication to sport is no surprise. Allan, her half-brother, exhibits his own sporting skills in golf, reports Wales Online.
Rising up the tennis ranks
Kournikova was thrust into the tennis limelight at five years old and by eight, she was already a youth tournament competitor. Noticed for her outstanding abilities, she was signed by a talent agency at ten and whisked off to train at Florida's esteemed Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
She quickly climbed the junior tennis ladder and turned pro in 1995. Kournikova left a lasting mark when she made it to the fourth round of the US Open the following year and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals at just the tender age of 16.
Throughout her career, Kournikova found more success in doubles than singles, reaching the top spot with Hingis and becoming a household name in tennis and beyond. However, as the new millennium began, she started to battle injuries that would eventually lead to her retirement.
Injury-ridden career
A stress fracture in her left foot led to her missing a whopping 12 tournaments, stalling her progress on the international stage. By 2001, she was ranked No. 74 in singles and No. 26 in doubles globally.
Later, back and abductor issues further affected her career, and by the end of 2003, she had dropped out of the world's top 300 tennis players. Sadly, she was forced to retire that year, just a mere eight years after turning pro.
However, in 2010, she teamed up with Hingis again to compete in the Invitational Ladies' Doubles event at Wimbledon, marking her first competitive tennis match in seven years.
Off the court, Kournikova became a regular feature on magazine covers, including FHM and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2002, she was voted the world's sexiest woman, beating out celebs like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez.
She also had a minor role in the cult comedy classic Me, Myself and Irene in 2000, sharing screen time with Hollywood legends Jim Carrey and Rene Zellweger. Kournikova also dabbled in TV presenting, featuring on NBC's The Biggest Loser show as a celebrity trainer.
Romantic life
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, rumours of a romance between Kournikova and fellow Russian sports star Pavel Bure were rife. Despite their high-profile status in Russia, they quashed any whispers of an engagement.
Before she retired her tennis racket, Kournikova was making waves in mainstream media through various ventures. In 2001, she starred in the music video for Enrique Iglesias' hit 'Escape'.
The on-screen chemistry spilled over into real life, and the pair started dating. They are still together today after 24 years and are now married. Despite being a couple for over two decades, they rarely discuss their relationship publicly. They have three children and lead a private life away from the public gaze that marked their early careers.
Their twins, Nicholas and Lucy, were born in 2017, followed by their third child three years later. The family resides in Miami, Florida, and Kournikova maintains a low-key presence on social media, occasionally posting on Instagram.
Net worth
Sportskeeda estimates Kournikova's net worth to be around £37million ($50m). Her earnings from tennis reportedly totalled about £2.6m ($3.5m), but the majority of her wealth comes from her profitable sponsorship deals.
In the early 2000s, she teamed up with brands like Adidas, Omega, and Berlei, raking in significantly more from these endorsements than her tennis wins. She's also been actively involved in charity work, taking part in exhibition tennis matches to raise AIDS awareness.
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