FROM the second she set foot on the grass at Wimbledon in 1997, aged simply 16, Anna Kournikova turned a family title.
Her supermodel appears to be like and tenacity on the tennis court docket propelled her to worldwide stardom.
Anna was often called one of many world’s sexiest ladies throughout the 200sCredit score: Getty
Since retiring, she has stayed out of the highlight and infrequently posts on social mediaCredit score: Instagram
As she acquired older the Russian athlete, now 41, and her doubles companion Martina Hingis have been dubbed “the Spice Women of tennis”.
On the top of her profession she ranked quantity eight on this planet and was one of the crucial Googled folks ever.
In 2002 Anna was voted the world’s sexiest lady, and have become a lads’ magazine favorite, gracing the covers of Maxim and FHM.
She even had a visitor function on hit Nineties sitcom Pals.
However nowadays Anna lives a a lot quieter life, having stepped away from the limelight since she retired from tennis in 2002 as a consequence of a collection of accidents – primarily involving her again.
The blonde magnificence is relishing being a mum to the three youngsters she shares with Latin heartthrob Enrique Iglesias, 48.
Right here we check out how Anna went from purple carpet able to a relative recluse.
‘Anxiousness’
A part of Anna’s cause for deciding to retreat from the highlight is as a result of being the centre of consideration left her feeling nervous and anxious.
Anna turned professional at simply 14 and made her debut at Wimbledon aged 18Credit score: Getty
Having obtained her first tennis racquet as a New Yr reward aged 5, by age 14 she’d turned skilled – turning into the youngest ever participant to take part and win the Fed Cup for Russia.
However at instances she felt like her attractiveness stood in the best way of her sport. She beforehand mentioned: “Being within the highlight since I used to be a toddler was actually exhausting.
“I did really feel stress when folks have been saying issues like, ‘You’re too fairly, you’ll be able to’t play,’ or no matter.
“I might get so nervous and get anxiousness on the court docket, I wouldn’t be capable of transfer.”
Romance
Anna retired from tennis aged 21 however continued modellingCredit score: Instagram
Anna and Enrique have stored their non-public life to themselvesCredit score: Getty
When she retired from the game aged simply 21, she was two years into her romance with singer Enrique Iglesias.
The couple met filming the music video for his observe Escape in 2001 and their romance rapidly blossomed, with Anna transferring into his seaside entrance Miami residence.
Initially she refused to verify or deny that they have been a pair, however a number of years in she started opening up about their romance.
Regardless of being collectively greater than 20 years, it’s believed the couple have by no means married – in public, anyway.
Throughout a TV interview final yr, Enrique mentioned: “We haven’t gotten married in public, that doesn’t imply we aren’t married.
“We’ve got been collectively for such a very long time, for half of our lives.”
He beforehand advised Parade journal: “I’ve by no means actually thought marriage would make a distinction.
“Perhaps it’s as a result of I come from divorced dad and mom, however I don’t assume you like any individual extra due to a bit of paper.
We haven’t gotten married in public, that doesn’t imply we aren’t married
Enrique Iglesias
“These days it’s not taboo to have youngsters and never be married. What makes a distinction is that you simply’re a superb mum or dad, interval.”
Anna has additionally batted off questions on their marital standing, insisting: “I’m in a contented relationship with Enrique, that’s all that issues.
“Marriage isn’t vital to me. I imagine in being open and trusting one another and respecting one another fully.
“We’ve been collectively for years. He’s the male model of me, and I’m the feminine model of him.”
Regardless of having not formally walked down the aisle, Anna goes by the surname ‘Kournikova Iglesias’ and has been carrying a big diamond ring and marching eternity band on her wedding ceremony finger since 2017.
Enrique additionally launched Anna as his spouse throughout a live performance in Russia in 2011.
Three youngsters
The previous tennis ace has stored her pregnancies low keyCredit score: annakournikova/instagram
The start of her youngsters is among the issues she has shared with followers on social mediaCredit score: Instagram
Anna shared this snap of her being pregnant with Mary
The couple additionally share three youngsters – twins Nicholas and Lucy, 5, and Mary, three.
They stored Anna’s first being pregnant a secret till a month after she gave start in 2017, at which level they shared snaps of their newborns on social media with the lovable caption “my sunshine”.
Whereas they prefer to preserve their non-public lives non-public, Anna has shared photographs of their little ones on milestones like birthdays.
Enrique has additionally publicly praised his companion for her parenting expertise, telling The Solar in October 2018: “Like all couple, you continue to undergo your ups and downs, and it’s not all the time good. However it’s good in a manner.
“It’s unbelievable to look at her be such an amazing mom. It’s unbelievable to look at a mum do what she does, when a mom’s intuition kicks in.”
‘Extra intercourse than ever’
Enrique mentioned having youngsters improved their intercourse lifeCredit score: AP:Related Press
He additionally candidly claimed beginning a household did wonders for his or her intercourse life, admitting: “It’s in all probability extra intercourse now than ever. The intercourse has not diminished.”
Anna has additionally spoken about her love of motherhood, describing it as one of the best factor to occur to her.
“I like being a mum. I completely needed to have youngsters, whether or not I had my very own or adopted,” she mentioned. “I like caring for folks.”
Since having her youngsters, they’ve turn out to be the main target of her social media posts – beforehand dominated by bikini snaps and photographs with the couple’s two canine, German Shepherd Max and chocolate Labrador Chessie.
In December 2021 she shared footage of her twins to have a good time them turning 4.
Her newest put up, from Could 2022, celebrated Enrique’s birthday with an lovable snap of their whole household captioned: “Completely satisfied Birthday to probably the most wonderful Dad! We tremendous love you!”
Step again
Anna’s bikini snaps are few and much between nowadays
Anna revealed she made an energetic choice to step again from work when she began a household.
“Once I acquired pregnant, I decreased the workload, and realised I need to dedicate all my time to youngsters,” she mentioned.
“Being with them is happiness, I’m not able to miss a single second.”
After ending her tennis profession Anna did a little bit of charity work between modelling jobs – participating within the Advanta World TeamTennis Smash Hits celeb competitors in 2008 to lift cash for Elton John’s AIDS Basis and the Atlanta Aids Partnership Fund.
She made a short return to the highlight presenting US present The Largest Loser in 2011, however determined she’d fairly deal with her household.
Stalker ordeal
In 2005 Anna was targetted by a stalker.
She was pressured to name the police after William Lepeska swam bare to what he thought was her Miami residence to attempt to make her save him from downing.
However he had the fallacious residence and was discovered by cops screaming “Anna, assist me!”
It got here after months of harassment the place he bombarded her with sexually specific letters and emails earlier than he lastly discovered her tackle and went after her in individual.
He even had a tattoo of her on his arm.
In court docket Anna mentioned: “I used to be completely shocked and fearful, and I used to be very a lot involved for my security. It was very horrifying and scary… simply understanding there’s somebody on the market who’s obsessive.”
The incident noticed Anna rent bodyguards and improve her safety at her $2.7million residence.
Low key lives
Anna has executed quite a lot of work with charity since retiring from tennisCredit score: Getty – Contributor
When he’s not touring, Enrique and Anna seem to spend so much of time having fun with their 20,000 sq ft Miami residence – with an enormous backyard plagued by youngsters’s toys.
The couple have their very own dock on the seaside entrance pad, and have been noticed on a a romantic cruise collectively in 2012, utilizing hats and sun shades in an try to stay beneath the radar.
Anna additionally seems to have a tennis court docket on the residence, which the children use to drive round on of their toy vehicles,
Whereas she doesn’t play skilled sport anymore, Anna likes to maintain herself in form.
She’s shared particulars of her residence exercises and opened up in 2019 about her day by day weight loss plan and routine.
Anna mentioned: “I discover it’s vital to eat smaller meals usually. I’ll have a bit of piece of chocolate each day, or each different day.
“I like chocolate and ice cream. I like potatoes and pasta.
“My typical day is getting up at 6.30am. We’ve got breakfast, stroll with a stroller. The twins have simply began strolling.
“Whereas they sleep, I do yoga or Pilates.
“From midday housekeeping begins and by 8pm I’m normally exhausted on the couch.”
Anna with one in every of their beloved poochesCredit score: annakournikova/instagram
The couple is alleged to nonetheless take pleasure in an energetic intercourse life since having youngstersCredit score: instagram