Anna Kournikova
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Biography
Anna Kournikova is a Russian tennis player. Though she has won two doubles Grand Slam titles, she is better known for setting the tennis circuit on fire - not with her game but with her beauty and long blonde hair.
Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova was born on June 7, 1981 in Moscow, Soviet Union. Her father, Sergei Kournikov, was a tennis instructor and encouraged her in playing tennis from a young age. Her talent in the sport was discovered in a children's sports program when she was just 5. She then started taking the sport seriously. When she was 11, she shifted to Florida with her mother, Alla Kournikov, to join the famous Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Anna then went on to win many junior titles including the 1995 Italian Open. She was the 1995 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior World Champion. She became a professional tennis player when she was just 14 years old.
In her first Grand Slam tournament at the 1996 U.S. Open, Anna reached the fourth round and reached the semifinals in her first Wimbledon in 1997. In 1999, Anna paired with Martina Hingis and won her first Grand Slam doubles event at the Australian Open.
In 2000, the pair reached a career ranking of No. 8. However at the German Open that year, she experienced an injury that set back her progress.
However, Anna continued to climb up the popularity charts with her modeling and endorsements. In 2000, she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated's June 2000 edition. That year, she also modeled for Berlei's shock absorber sports bras range in the "only the ball should bounce" bill board campaign.
In 2001, Anna made her film debut with a small role as a motel manager in the comedy, Me, Myself & Irene starring Jim Carrey. In 2002, she featured in Enrique Iglesias' music video, Escape.
In 2002, Anna was reportedly earning $10 million a year and she is probably one of the richest women in sports, thanks to lucrative endorsements with top companies including Adidas, Yonex, Berlei, Omega, and Lycos. Anna is perhaps one of the few tennis players who has achieved success beyond the tennis court by gaining a foothold in the showbiz world.
Despite a promising start, Anna never managed to win a professional singles title. Her game was however more suited to the doubles circuit and she won 16 doubles titles including two Grand Slams (1999 and 2002 Australian Open). Since the 2003 Australian Open where she suffered a back injury, till 2006, Anna hasn't been seen on the professional tennis circuit. She, however, continues to play exhibition and charity matches. Though she is not a legend in the game of tennis, there are millions of people who still remember her vividly.
Links
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Kournikova-Pictures Celebrity Site of the Day on 10/15/02
AnnaK.tv
The Official Anna Kournikova Website
Anna Kournikova Forever Site
AskMen.com: Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova Online
Anna Kournikova Portal Celebrity Site of the Day on 1/7/00
Anna Kournikova
Beautiful Anna Kournikova
Absolutely.net: Anna Kournikova
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