Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova is one of the best-known tennis players in the world. Despite her success at the singles game, her specialty is doubles, where she has been the world’s #1 doubles player at times.
She won Grand Slam titles in 1999 and 2002 with Martina Hingis as her partner. Her best year was 1998 as she broke into the WTA’s top 20 rankings as well as demonstrating some impressive victories. Kournikova has won 16 tournament doubles titles, including 2 Australian Open titles and being a finalist in the mixed doubles at the U.S. Open and at Wimbledon.
She reached #1 ranking in doubles for the Women’s Tennis Association tour rankings. Anna’s pro career singles record was 209-129 and her doubles record was 200-71. As a player, her foot speed and aggressive baseline play was noted.
Between ages 13 and 14, Kournikova won several tournaments including the 1995 Italian Open. She ended 1995 as Junior European Champion and ITF Junior World Champion when she was only 14 years of age.
Her debut in professional tennis also took place when she was 14 in the Fed Cup for Russia. She became the youngest player to have participated and won. In 1996, Kournikova served as a member of the Russian delegation to the Olympic Games. One year later she reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
