Anna Kournikova: How a 'marketing monster' seduced the world

    By Sheena McKenzie, for CNN

    Updated 0226 GMT (1026 HKT) November 28, 2015

    Throughout her career, tennis player Anna Kournikova shot to fame as much for her model looks, as on-court success.
    Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
    How Kournikova seduced the world – Throughout her career, tennis player Anna Kournikova shot to fame as much for her model looks, as on-court success.
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    Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri (far left) started training Kournikova at his Florida Academy when she was just 10 years old.<br />"When I hear the name 'Anna Kournikova' now, the phrase that springs to my mind is: 'She's my baby,'" said Bollettieri.<br />"She started the big wave of players from Russia -- don't forget that."
    Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
    1990 – Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri (far left) started training Kournikova at his Florida Academy when she was just 10 years old.
    "When I hear the name 'Anna Kournikova' now, the phrase that springs to my mind is: 'She's my baby,'" said Bollettieri.
    "She started the big wave of players from Russia -- don't forget that."
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    "I've seen them all, but this one actually frightens me," Bollettieri told the<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/23/sports/tennis-the-molding-of-a-tennis-prodigy.html" target="_blank"> New York Times in 1992.</a><br />"She knows everything -- what she wants to do and how she's going to get there. She's not only the youngest real prospect I've ever had, but the best. We've had Andre. We've had Courier. We've had Seles, but I can say without hesitation that when I see how this girl can play, at age 10, I'm shocked."
    Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
    1992 – "I've seen them all, but this one actually frightens me," Bollettieri told the New York Times in 1992.
    "She knows everything -- what she wants to do and how she's going to get there. She's not only the youngest real prospect I've ever had, but the best. We've had Andre. We've had Courier. We've had Seles, but I can say without hesitation that when I see how this girl can play, at age 10, I'm shocked."
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    Kournikova reached the world No. 1 spot in doubles, yet a singles title always eluded her.<br />"She was an excellent volleyer, had a very good serve, and could cover her side of the court in a brilliant way," said Bollettieri.<br />"But when you have to cover the whole court in singles, that lack of weapon, that lack of a killer shot, I think that was probably the reason she didn't win a grand slam in singles."
    Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
    1994 – Kournikova reached the world No. 1 spot in doubles, yet a singles title always eluded her.
    "She was an excellent volleyer, had a very good serve, and could cover her side of the court in a brilliant way," said Bollettier