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Kournikova Excited to be part of Tennis Legends at Rogers Cup
Tennis’ former ‘It Girl’ guests on Topspin Radio to promote Toronto appearance

June 14, 2007 - What better to way to introduce a brand new online radio show to the public than with a line up that includes arguably the most talked about female athlete of all time?

Tennis Canada had that privilege when Anna Kournikova agreed to be the main attraction of its inaugural Topspin Radio show which aired on Monday from Toronto’s Rexall Centre.

Speaking live via conference call from her home in Miami, the 26-year-old superstar was every bit the gracious and endearing guest answering questions from fans and speaking about her inclusion in the Tennis Legends presented by Acura which is set to kick off this summer’s Rogers Cup presented by American Express on Monday August 13, 2007.  “I’m really looking forward to playing in Tennis Legends,” Kournikova expressed. “We always have so much fun and I always love coming back to Canada, especially Toronto. It’s such a modern and urban city.”

Kournikova will make her much-anticipated return to the Rexall Centre courts alongside John McEnroe, Jim Courier, and Carling Bassett-Seguso to participate in an interactive, fun-filled tennis experience that promises to be the highlight of opening night. McEnroe and Courier will renew their rivalry in a singles match which will be followed by a mixed doubles battle featuring all four participants. Players will be wearing microphones on court to allow fans to get up close and personal. The Legendswill also attend meet-and-greet parties and will take part in Pro-Am competitions throughout the afternoon.   

Kournikova was labeled a tennis prodigy when she began playing in junior tournaments at age 8, but the blonde bombshell quickly became more famous for her off-court celebrity status and for being a media magnet than for her athletic abilities. "When you're good as a child, a child prodigy ... you're bound to get attention. Martina (Hingis) got attention when she was young, and most kids do ... was mine a lot ... yes, it was, but it was good and I never knew how big it was," Kournikova recalled. “Did it take away from my game? ... I don't think so. There's things I might have done differently, things like entering certain tournaments, scheduling, things like that. But you do it while you can."

The Russian retired from professional tennis in 2003 as the result of various nagging injuries that prevented her from playing at the highest level. Once the top-ranked doubles player in the world, Kournikova has two Grand Slam doubles titles to her credit winning the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002 with Martina Hingis. She also made her mark in singles, peaking at No. 8 on the rankings. In 1997, Kournikova became the second player in the Open Era after Chris Evert to reach the semifinals in her Wimbledon debut. Although she doesn’t miss the day-to-day grind of being a full-time Tour player, Kournikova admits she often yearns for the centre court limelight.

"Nothing will ever compare to being on the court, I miss the actual matches and 7-6 in the third, and playing in front of 20,000 people and the adrenaline rush," Kournikova reflected.

However, as is most often the case when one of the world’s most recognizable faces meets with the media, Kournikova fielded more questions about her life off the court than her achievements on it. Discussion topics ranged from the state of the women’s game today, her charity involvement and of course, her much publicized relationship with Enrique Iglesias.

“The status is," Kournikova said, "that everything is fine, and everything is good, and he is out promoting his new album. It comes out [today], actually. Please, everybody get one.”

Since her retirement, Kournikova has been greatly involved in the Boys and Girls Club, touring the United States to promote fitness for children through her Get Animated with Anna Kournikova DVD.

"I love working with kids and there's nothing more gratifying and satisfying," Kournikova beamed. "It's just seeing their eyes, and the curiosity in them, and they're full of life. When you're doing something for real, it makes you feel a certain way and it's awesome."

Although she hasn’t played on Tour for several years, when Kournikova sets foot in Toronto, the buzz she generates will be undeniable. More importantly, the tennis darling will surely deliver a spectacular performance that fans attending the Rogers Cup presented by American Express won’t soon forget.

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