Anna Kournikova
Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova (Russian: Анна Сергеевна Курникова, Ánna Sergéyevna Kúrnikova; born June 7, 1981) is a profitable sports personality who achieved fame first as a tennis player. She was born in Moscow, Russia to parents Alla and Sergei Kournikova, but currently lives in Miami, Florida, in the United States. Kournikova is perhaps the best known player among people who are not fans of tennis. She dazzled the world at age 13 and 14 in international junior tennis, winning many tournaments including the 1995 Orange Bowl and the 1995 Italian Open. Anna Kournikova ended 1995 as the Junior European Champion and as Junior World Champion.
She set her mark after she became a professional player. Kournikova debuted at age 14 in the Fed Cup for Russia, still the youngest player ever participating. As a 15-year old she reached the fourth round of the 1996 US Open, only to be stopped by world number 1, Steffi Graf. That same year she was a member of the Russian delegation that participated in the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia. As a 16-year old she reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon. Kournikova's first Grand Slam title came in 1999 at the Australian Open in the Women's Doubles event with partner Martina Hingis. Kournikova and Hingis frequently played as doubles partners. While consistently ranked in the top 20 in the WTA tour rankings, she never won a professional singles tournament (though she made the semi-finals and finals of many). Her serve was notably weak for a top-level tennis player but her variety of shots delighted the pure tennis fan. Now she is perhaps more famous for her beauty than for her tennis skills. A number of her relationships have featured prominently in the tabloid press, and photographs of her scantily-clad form have appeared in various "lad magazines," including a much publicized Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Kournikova was named one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003. She was voted hottest athlete for consecutive years on espn.com. In 2003, readers of FHM magazine voted Anna the sexiest woman in the world. Kournikova had a small role (as a motel manager) in the 2000 film Me, Myself and Irene, starring Jim Carrey. In 2001 she had ankle surgery and in 2003 she had complicated back surgery. Although she is not playing on the WTA tour due to these injuries, she still plays exhibition matches for a good cause. In late 2004 for example she participated in three charity events organised by Elton John and by good friends Serena Williams and Andy Roddick. She currently (2002-2005) dates Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias.
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