Anna Kournikova: How a 'marketing monster' seduced the world
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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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."
"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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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."
"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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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 Bollettieri.
"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."
"She was an excellent volleyer, had a very good serve, and could cover her side of the court in a brilliant way," said Bollettieri.
"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."
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Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
1996 – Kournikova holds the 1995 ITF Junior World Championship trophy, during a dinner at Roland Garros in Paris, in 1996.
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Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
1997 – A baby-faced Kournikova was just 16 when she reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1997. She was knocked out of the tournament by her future doubles partner Martina Hingis.
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Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
1998 – Kournikova is pictured during the French Open at Roland Garros, Paris.
"I think she did a really good job of balancing being a little girl, growing into a woman, and understanding that there was something special about her looks and her charisma, and how to use that for the betterment of the game," said Ken Merritt, who also coached Kournikova at Bollettieri's famous Florida Academy.
"She changed the women's game of tennis. And I think that in itself makes it a very successful tennis career."
"I think she did a really good job of balancing being a little girl, growing into a woman, and understanding that there was something special about her looks and her charisma, and how to use that for the betterment of the game," said Ken Merritt, who also coached Kournikova at Bollettieri's famous Florida Academy.
"She changed the women's game of tennis. And I think that in itself makes it a very successful tennis career."
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Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
1999 – Kournikova and Hingis won their first grand slam doubles title at the 1999 Australian Open in Melbourne.
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Photos: Anna Kournikova through the years
2000 – Kournikova blows a kiss to her coach during the first round of the 2000 Australian Open.
"When we were at a major tournament, if Anna Kournikova was practicing, and there was not a big name match on at the stadium, all the guys were there watching Anna Kournikova," said Bollettieri.
"She put the show on, baby. She put the show on."
"When we were at a major tournament, if Anna Kournikova was practicing, and there was not a big name match on at the stadium, all the guys were there watching Anna Kournikova," said Bollettieri.
"She put the show on, baby. She put the show on."
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