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$3,584,662 |
| 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 Sergeyevna Kournikova Iglesias (born 7 June 1981) is a Russian television personality and former professional tennis player. Her fame and celebrity status made her one of the most famous tennis stars in the world. During her most popular years, many people searched for her name on Google Search.
Although she never won a major singles tournament, she was ranked No. 8 in the world in 2000. She had much more success playing doubles. At one point, she was the world's No. 1 ranked doubles player.
She won two Grand Slam titles in doubles with her partner, Martina Hingis. They won the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002. They also won the WTA Championships in 1999 and 2000.
Kournikova stopped playing professional tennis in 2003 because of serious back problems. She lives in Miami Beach, Florida. After her tennis career, she worked on the TV show The Biggest Loser as a trainer for one season. She also works with charities that help children's health.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Anna Kournikova was born in Moscow, Russia, on 7 June 1981. Her parents were both athletes. Her father, Sergei, was a wrestling champion. Her mother, Alla, was a runner. Her family encouraged her to be active and involved in sports from a young age.
Kournikova got her first tennis racquet for a New Year's gift when she was five. She started playing for fun. When she was seven, she began training at a professional tennis academy. By the time she was ten, tennis scouts from around the world noticed her talent. She signed a deal with a management company and moved to Bradenton, Florida, to train at a famous tennis academy run by Nick Bollettieri.
Tennis Career
1995–1997: A Young Star Rises
After moving to the United States, Kournikova quickly became a top young player. At 14, she won the European Championships and the Italian Open Junior tournament. In 1995, she became the youngest player to win the 18-and-under Junior Orange Bowl tournament.
She made her professional debut on the WTA Tour at age 14. In 1996, at 15, she played in her first Grand Slam, the US Open. She reached the fourth round before losing to the champion, Steffi Graf. This impressive performance moved her ranking from No. 144 to No. 69 in the world.
In 1997, Kournikova made it to the semi-finals of Wimbledon in her first time playing there. She was only the second woman to do this in the modern era of tennis. By the end of the year, she was ranked No. 32 in the world.
1998–2000: Fame and Doubles Success
In 1998, Kournikova broke into the top 20 rankings for the first time. She reached her first singles final at the Miami Open but lost to Venus Williams. She also had a great year in doubles, winning her first doubles title in Tokyo with Monica Seles. By the end of the year, she was ranked No. 10 in doubles.
The year 1999 was a major success for Kournikova, especially in doubles. She partnered with Martina Hingis, and they won their first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. They also won tournaments in Indian Wells, Rome, and Eastbourne. On 22 November 1999, Kournikova became the world's No. 1 ranked doubles player.
In 2000, Kournikova reached her highest singles ranking of No. 8 in the world. She continued to win in doubles, capturing six titles that year with partners Martina Hingis, Julie Halard, and Natasha Zvereva.
2001–2003: Injuries and Retirement
Kournikova's career was affected by injuries starting in 2001. A stress fracture in her foot forced her to miss many tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon. She had surgery in April of that year.
In 2002, she and Martina Hingis won their second Grand Slam doubles title at the Australian Open. This was a high point in a year where she also reached the final of the China Open, her last singles final.
By 2003, ongoing back and spine injuries made it difficult for her to play. Her last professional match was in April 2003. She officially retired from professional tennis due to these injuries.
Life After Tennis
Even though she retired from the WTA Tour, Kournikova still plays tennis in exhibition matches for charity. She has played in events to raise money for causes like the Indian Ocean tsunami relief and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
She has also worked in television. In 2011, she was a celebrity trainer on the TV show The Biggest Loser for one season. She is also a Global Ambassador for a program called "Five & Alive," which helps with health problems affecting young children and their families.
Playing Style
Kournikova played right-handed and used a two-handed backhand. She was known for being an excellent player at the net. Her style was well-suited for doubles, where she had her greatest success. She could hit powerful shots from the back of the court and also use delicate drop shots to surprise her opponents.
Personal Life
Since 2001, Kournikova has been in a relationship with the singer Enrique Iglesias. They met when she appeared in his music video for the song "Escape". The couple has three children. They have a son and a daughter, who are twins born in December 2017, and another daughter born in January 2020. In 2010, it was reported that Kournikova became a U.S. citizen.
Media Attention
Kournikova was very famous during her career. Her picture appeared on the covers of many magazines, including Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 1998, People magazine named her one of its 50 Most Beautiful People.
Because she was so famous but never won a major singles title, some people called her overrated. However, she remained one of the most searched-for athletes on the internet for many years, even after she retired from playing professionally.
Career Statistics and Awards
Grand Slam Tournament Finals
Doubles: 3 (2 wins, 1 loss)
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1999 | Australian Open | Hard |  Martina Hingis |
 Lindsay DavenportNatasha Zvereva |
7–5, 6–3 |
| Loss | 1999 | French Open | Clay | Martina Hingis |
Serena Williams Venus Williams |
3–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–8 |
| Win | 2002 | Australian Open (2) | Hard | Martina Hingis |
 Daniela Hantuchová Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
6–2, 6–7(4–7), 6–1 |
Mixed Doubles: 2 (0 wins, 2 losses)
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1999 | Wimbledon | Grass |  Jonas Björkman |
 Leander Paes Lisa Raymond |
4–6, 6–3, 3–6 |
| Loss | 2000 | US Open | Hard |  Max Mirnyi |
Jared Palmer Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
4–6, 3–6 |
Awards
- 1996: WTA Newcomer of the Year
- 1999: WTA Doubles Team of the Year (with Martina Hingis)
See also
In Spanish: Anna Kournikova para niños
