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Inside Sport 12/99 Interview


1999

 

 

She is the most keenly watched player in the world. Her beauty, talent and poise have proved irresistible. Anna Kournikova, both Russian and American, is a phenomenon of the post-Cold War era. She took time out for an interview during her exclusive photoshoot for the December issue of Inside Sport.

Where does your competitive streak come from?
Anna: "I was born with it. Everything in life is a competition."

Who were your heroes as a young girl?
Anna: "I admired many players. Monica Seles, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi."

Is it starting to concern you that you haven't won a tournament on tour?
Anna: "No, not really. All I can do is play my best. I feel I always have a chance in every tournament and that my time will come."

Which Grand Slam Title would you say you have the best chance of winning?
Anna: "I think I have a chance in all of them. Not one in particular. I just need to play my best."

What would mean more to you: winning a Grand Slam Title or an Olympic gold medal?
Anna: "A Grand Slam Title."

We hear a lot about rivalry among the top women players. Who do you most enjoy beating?
Anna: "I enjoy every win that I have. Every win gives me satisfaction, because all the girls are competitive and the tour is so even and tough."

Do you still call Russia home?
Anna: "Of course. It's where I was born, where I grew up. But I love America, too."

If you had to lose either your tennis ability or your looks, which would go?
Anna: "Ah, I would keep both."

Do you think you would ever go out with another tennis player?
Anna: "Why not? I wouldn't say that couldn't happen. I would have to go with my heart, you know?"

Do you feel other women players resent your beauty?
Anna: "No. I haven't felt that."

Do you feel other players try harder against you because of all the attention you attract?
Anna: "No. I feel all the players try their hardest against everyone, every match they play."

You seem a very happy person. Do you have enough killer instinct to reach the top?
Anna: "Oh, definitely.I want very much to do well. I have always been very competitive. I smile, yes, but that doesn't mean I don't want to win."

Is there time for a boyfriend in your life?
Anna: "There's time. But he would have to be understanding. He would have to understand that often I will be travelling and playing."

What qualities do you appreciate in a man?
Anna: "Honesty, strength, blond - oh no, then all the boys will dye their hair. He just has to be gentle but strong, with a big heart. He has to know what it takes, how hard it is to succeed."

What are your main interests away from tennis?
Anna: "Shopping, the beach, eating - especially chocolate."

Who are your favourite bands?
Anna: "Really I just love to hear music on the radio, the music of the moment."

Do you believe men's tennis is boring?
Anna: "No."

What's your favourite TV show?
Anna: "Friends."

When you were in Australia two years ago, you apparently asked to meet "the blond one" - Shane Warne. Why did you want to meet him and what was he like?
Anna: "He was very nice. The whole cricket team was nice. But I don't think it was that I had to meet "the blond one". I think somebody asked ME to meet him."

 

 

 
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 Find out more at Anna's offical website:
kournikova.com