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 | Biography |  |
Anna Kournikova was born June 7, 1981 in Moscow, Russia. She was five when she started playing tennis in a club in Moscow. Unlike other ambitious parents, Anna wasn't forced to do anything, Alla and Sergei (a greco-roman wrestler) didn't know anything about tennis and they just wanted her to play for health reasons. But her talent for tennis was discovered early in a children sports program. From this moment it was clear that Anna has the skills to reach the top.
Their financial situation in Russia in the early 80īs forced the Kournikov's to sell their television to buy Anna a tennis racket. Hard to imagine when you look on Anna's current earnings with sponsors and price money. Anna turned 9 and moved to Nick Bolletieri's Tennis Academy, in Bradenton, February 1992. The reason why she moved there with her mother were because of better training facilities. As Anna said, in Moscow it was difficult for work-outs and training, she also had to shuttle around from tennis-courts, gyms and school. Although she spends most of her time in the States now, she still doesn't deny her origin. But people in Russia are not so fond of her, a radio interview in Russia for example forced the opinion where Anna said she feels more American now. Rumors about an American citizenship cann't be confirmed yet. Despite that Anna likes Russian culture and the different history.
Anna was very successful on the junior tour. She reached the Orange Bowl finals, one of the most important junior tournaments, when she was 13. She lost the final, but with a win she could have been the youngest player ever winning this tournament. But she won this tournament one year later (1995) and became number one in junior ranking. Anna won the Eddie Herr Tournament in 1994 and the Italian Junior Championships in 1995.
A first rivalry started in 1994 at the US Open Junior Championships. She had to face Martina Hingis and lost to her 6-0, 6-0. According to her own words, she never had any other professional ambitions other than playing tennis. All the hype about her looks, her fans all over the world and all the glamour she receives have not distracted her from her primary dedication which is tennis.
Anna's career highlights in singles was '99 when she was semifinalist in Oklahoma City and Quarter Finalist in Tokyo. In doubles she won '99 the Australian Open together with Martina Hingis and was semifinalist in Oklahoma City with Monica Seles.
She has a close relationship with her mother Alla, who is her friend and personal advisor. Since August last year Eric Van Harpen, 56, a native Dutch has been her trainer. He has also coached Conchita Martinez who won the 1994 Wimbledon title. Most of the year Anna is traveling. She enjoys to spend her spare time in Miami, South Beach, Florida were she has an apartment. You understand that it is easier to enjoy the sun and the beach in Florida than in Moscow.
In her spare time she likes watching TV. Anna has been on Jay Leno's Late Night Show. - She also likes dancing and listening to music.
A notable quote from Anna: "Those who work hard deserve their success." What else can I add to that ... |
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