Anna Kournikova facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anna Kournikova
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| Анна Курникова | |
Kournikova at Bagram Air Base during a 2009 USO tour
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| Born | 7 June 1981 Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
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| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Partner(s) | Enrique Iglesias (2001–present) |
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Tennis career |
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| Country (sports) | Russia |
| Residence | Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Turned pro | October 1995 |
| Retired | May 2003 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | US,584,662 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 209–129 (61.83%) |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 8 (20 November 2000) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | QF (2001) |
| French Open | 4R (1998, 1999) |
| Wimbledon | SF (1997) |
| US Open | 4R (1996, 1998) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | SF (2000) |
| Olympic Games | 1R (1996) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 200–71 |
| Career titles | 16 |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (22 November 1999) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1999, 2002) |
| French Open | F (1999) |
| Wimbledon | SF (2000, 2002) |
| US Open | QF (1996, 2002) |
| Other doubles tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | W (1999, 2000) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Career record | 24–14 |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1997, 2000) |
| French Open | QF (1997) |
| Wimbledon | F (1999) |
| US Open | F (2000) |
Anna Kournikova (born 7 June 1981) is a famous Russian model and TV personality. She was also a professional tennis player. Anna became one of the most recognized tennis stars around the world. This was due to her amazing talent and her celebrity status.
Even though she never won a major singles title, Anna reached No. 8 in the world in 2000. She was even more successful in doubles tennis. There, she became the world No. 1 player. With her partner Martina Hingis, she won two Grand Slam titles in Australia. These wins were in 1999 and 2002. They also won the WTA Championships in 1999 and 2000. They called themselves the "Spice Girls of Tennis".
Anna stopped playing professional tennis in 2003. This was because of serious back problems. She lives in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. She sometimes plays in special exhibition matches. Anna also worked as a trainer on the TV show The Biggest Loser. She is also a Global Ambassador for a program called "Five & Alive". This program helps young children and their families with health issues.
Contents
Early Life & Tennis Start
Anna Kournikova was born in Moscow, Russia, on 7 June 1981. Her father, Sergei Kournikov, was a wrestling champion and a professor. Her mother, Alla, was a runner. Anna's younger half-brother, Allan, is a youth golf champion.
Anna received her first tennis racquet as a gift in 1986. She was five years old. She started playing tennis twice a week at age six. It was a fun program for children. Her parents just wanted her to be active.
When she was seven, she started playing well. She then went to a professional tennis academy. In 1986, Anna joined the Spartak Tennis Club. She was coached by Larissa Preobrazhenskaya. By age eight, Anna was playing in junior tournaments. Tennis scouts from all over the world noticed her. At age ten, she signed a management deal. She moved to Bradenton, Florida, to train at Nick Bollettieri's famous tennis academy.
Anna's Tennis Career
Early Years & Breakthrough (1989–1997)
After moving to the United States, Anna became a rising star in tennis. At 14, she won the European Championships. She also won the Italian Open Junior tournament. In December 1995, she became the youngest player to win the 18-and-under Junior Orange Bowl. By the end of 1995, Anna was the ITF Junior World Champion U-18.
In September 1995, Anna played in her first WTA tournament in Moscow. She was only 14. She also reached her first WTA Tour doubles final. In February–March 1996, Anna won two ITF titles. In April 1996, she played for Russia in the Fed Cup. She was the youngest player ever to win a match there.
In 1996, Anna started working with a new coach, Ed Nagel. She made her Grand Slam debut at 15. She reached the fourth round of the US Open. She lost to Steffi Graf, who won the tournament. After this, Anna's ranking jumped from No. 144 to No. 69. She was part of the Russian team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. In 1996, she was named WTA Newcomer of the Year. She finished the year ranked No. 57.
In 1997, Anna reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon. She was only the second woman in the open era to do this in her first Wimbledon. She lost to Martina Hingis, who became the champion. Anna finished 1997 ranked No. 32 in singles.
Success & Stardom (1998–2000)
In 1998, Anna entered the WTA's top 20 rankings. She reached her first WTA Tour singles final at the Miami Open. She lost to Venus Williams in that final. Anna also reached the semi-finals at the German Open. She won her first WTA doubles title in Tokyo with Monica Seles. She finished 1998 ranked No. 10 in doubles.
In 1999, Anna won her first Grand Slam title. This was in doubles at the Australian Open with Martina Hingis. They beat Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva. Anna also reached her second WTA Tour singles final. She reached the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon with Jonas Björkman. On 22 November 1999, she became the world No. 1 in doubles. Anna and Martina Hingis were named the WTA Award for Doubles Team of the Year.
In 2000, Anna continued her doubles success. She won six more doubles titles with different partners. She reached the mixed doubles final at the US Open. In singles, she reached eight semi-finals and one final. On 20 November 2000, she reached her highest singles ranking of No. 8. She was also ranked No. 4 in doubles.
Injuries & Final Years (2001–2003)
Anna's 2001 season was tough because of injuries. She had a stress fracture in her left foot. This made her miss many tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon. She had surgery in April. She still won doubles titles in Sydney and the Kremlin Cup.
In 2002, Anna had more success. She reached the final of the China Open. This was her last singles final. With Martina Hingis, she won their second Grand Slam title together at the Australian Open. She also reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in doubles.
In 2003, Anna won her first Grand Slam match in two years at the Australian Open. She then had to withdraw from tournaments due to a back injury. This injury eventually ended her professional career. Her final singles ranking was No. 305.
Anna was a very successful doubles player. She won 16 doubles titles and reached No. 1 in the world in doubles. Her singles career was strong, but she never won a singles title. Her later years were affected by injuries, especially to her back.
Exhibition Matches & Other Work
Anna Kournikova stopped playing on the WTA Tour in 2003. However, she still plays exhibition matches to help raise money for charity. She has played in events organized by Elton John and other tennis stars. She also played for the St. Louis Aces in World Team Tennis (WTT).
In 2008, Anna participated in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. This event raised money for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She won the women's race for her team. She also played in charity mixed doubles matches.
In 2010, Anna reunited with her doubles partner Martina Hingis. They played together in the Invitational Ladies Doubles event at Wimbledon.
Anna has also worked as a spokesperson for K-Swiss. She joined the TV show The Biggest Loser as a trainer in 2011.
Playing Style
Anna Kournikova plays tennis right-handed. She uses a two-handed backhand. She is very good at playing close to the net. She can hit powerful shots and also drop shots. Her playing style was very good for doubles tennis.
Personal Life
Anna Kournikova is in a relationship with singer Enrique Iglesias. They started dating in late 2001. Anna appeared in his music video for "Escape". They have three children together. They have fraternal twins, a son and daughter, born in 2017. Another daughter was born in 2020.
It was reported in 2010 that Anna became an American citizen.
Media & Fame
Anna Kournikova became very famous. In 2000, she became the face for Berlei's sports bras. She also had a small role in the 2000 movie Me, Myself & Irene.
People magazine named her one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998. She was also a very popular search on the Internet for many years. Even after she stopped playing tennis professionally, she was one of the most searched athletes online.
Awards
- 1996: WTA Newcomer of the Year
- 1999: WTA Doubles Team of the Year (with Martina Hingis)
Books
- Anna Kournikova by Susan Holden (2001) (ISBN: 978-1-84222-416-8)
- Anna Kournikova by Connie Berman (2001) (Women Who Win) (ISBN: 978-0-7910-6529-7)
Images for kids
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Kournikova at Bagram Air Base during a 2009 USO tour
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Kournikova practices her backhand for a match in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2002
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Kournikova (left) with doubles partner Martina Hingis
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At the 2002 Medibank International Sydney
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Kournikova at a USO-sponsored tour at Forward Operating Base Sharana on 15 December 2009
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Kournikova preparing to serve in 2002
See Also
In Spanish: Anna Kournikova para niños
