Anna Kournikova could play tennis against a wall and draw a crowd. Considering she hasn’t played in a Women’s Tennis Association event since 2003, that’s saying something.
Her WTA days behind her, the Russian bombshell now draws fans in droves to see her play World Team Tennis for the St. Louis Aces. Last night, New England fans roared for Kournikova, 29, as she and the Aces took on the Boston Lobsters at a sold-out Ferncroft Country Club.
“I love it,” Kournikova said of the fan support. “We’re playing as teams and it’s really cool to see the home support wherever you’re playing. It’s just really great to engage and to involve the fans.”
Kournikova’s height and quick foot speed helped her become a dominant doubles force. She won 16 doubles titles in 12 years.
Aptly named the “Spice Girls of Tennis,” Kournikova and partner Martina Hingis reached No. 1 in the world doubles ranking, winning two Australian Opens. In singles, Kournikova reached as high as eighth in the world.
Nagging back and spinal issues plagued the 5-foot-7 Kournikova, slowing her down significantly on the court. Off the court, however, her celebrity status and modeling career continued to rise.
As the years passed, Kournikova was featured on more centerfolds than center courts. In 2002, she was voted the sexiest woman in the world by FHM. One year later, she played her final WTA tour event and joined the WTT.
Since then, Kournikova has adjusted well to the WTT thanks to seasons and matches much shorter than those of the WTA, which she admits her body can no longer handle.
“I’m not on the professional tour, I’m not as fast as I used to be or as strong as I used to be,” Kournikova said, “but I definitely enjoy the competition, it’s a healthy competition.”
Last night, the Lobsters dominated the Aces, winning 25-13 to move into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Women’s doubles partners Coco Vandeweghe and Raquel Kops-Jones took advantage of a struggling Kournikova and Lige Dekmeijere in a 5-1 victory for the Lobsters (6-6). Kournikova and mixed doubles partner Tripp Phillips followed with another loss for the Aces (6-5), this one a 5-1 setback to the Lobsters’ Kop-Jones and Eric Butorac.
“It’s totally different,” Kournikova said of the WTT, “but it’s still very competitive. All the players still fight for each point; it’s still about winning. At the end of the day, it’s still about who won.”
Much of Kournikova’s career was marred by criticism saying she wasn’t playing up to her potential or hype. Now she is often used as an unfortunate benchmark for attractive female athletes when they underachieve, such as IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, who has been called the “Kournikova of racing.”
“It’s the actual on-court stuff that I miss,” Kournikova said. “I don’t miss that off-court stuff.”
Her tennis days now feature more goodwill than Grand Slams, but Kournikova is anything but jaded.
“It’s just great to be back, just to walk on the court and have people in the stands, it feels great,” she said.
Her WTA days behind her, the Russian bombshell now draws fans in droves to see her play World Team Tennis for the St. Louis Aces. Last night, New England fans roared for Kournikova, 29, as she and the Aces took on the Boston Lobsters at a sold-out Ferncroft Country Club.
“I love it,” Kournikova said of the fan support. “We’re playing as teams and it’s really cool to see the home support wherever you’re playing. It’s just really great to engage and to involve the fans.”
Kournikova’s height and quick foot speed helped her become a dominant doubles force. She won 16 doubles titles in 12 years.
Aptly named the “Spice Girls of Tennis,” Kournikova and partner Martina Hingis reached No. 1 in the world doubles ranking, winning two Australian Opens. In singles, Kournikova reached as high as eighth in the world.
Nagging back and spinal issues plagued the 5-foot-7 Kournikova, slowing her down significantly on the court. Off the court, however, her celebrity status and modeling career continued to rise.
As the years passed, Kournikova was featured on more centerfolds than center courts. In 2002, she was voted the sexiest woman in the world by FHM. One year later, she played her final WTA tour event and joined the WTT.
Since then, Kournikova has adjusted well to the WTT thanks to seasons and matches much shorter than those of the WTA, which she admits her body can no longer handle.
“I’m not on the professional tour, I’m not as fast as I used to be or as strong as I used to be,” Kournikova said, “but I definitely enjoy the competition, it’s a healthy competition.”
Last night, the Lobsters dominated the Aces, winning 25-13 to move into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Women’s doubles partners Coco Vandeweghe and Raquel Kops-Jones took advantage of a struggling Kournikova and Lige Dekmeijere in a 5-1 victory for the Lobsters (6-6). Kournikova and mixed doubles partner Tripp Phillips followed with another loss for the Aces (6-5), this one a 5-1 setback to the Lobsters’ Kop-Jones and Eric Butorac.
“It’s totally different,” Kournikova said of the WTT, “but it’s still very competitive. All the players still fight for each point; it’s still about winning. At the end of the day, it’s still about who won.”
Much of Kournikova’s career was marred by criticism saying she wasn’t playing up to her potential or hype. Now she is often used as an unfortunate benchmark for attractive female athletes when they underachieve, such as IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, who has been called the “Kournikova of racing.”
“It’s the actual on-court stuff that I miss,” Kournikova said. “I don’t miss that off-court stuff.”
Her tennis days now feature more goodwill than Grand Slams, but Kournikova is anything but jaded.
“It’s just great to be back, just to walk on the court and have people in the stands, it feels great,” she said.
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