Anna Kournikova News Archive Part 2

Kournikova snubs Iglesias proposals

Iglesias spoke to reporters Friday after arriving in the Dominican Republic for the first of nine concerts planned across Latin America. Iglesias says he's been involved with the tennis star for at least three years and says she keeps ignoring his appeals to wed. In his words, "I always try, but she pays me no attention."

The Madrid-born artist is the son of crooner Julio Iglesias.

We Hear...

Kournikova, Sampras headline World Team Tennis

Co-founded by Billie Jean King, the coed league kicks off its 32nd season Thursday. The monthlong series will feature appearances by Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and the top-ranked doubles duo of Bob and Mike Bryan.

King and WTT commissioner Ilana Kloss have been innovators in the sport -- debuting instant replay, on-court coaching and no-ad scoring -- and will launch a "Go Green" effort in two of the league's 11 cities.

"We're trying to take a leadership role in going green," Kloss said of the energy-conscious endeavor with FirmGreen. "We know it's a huge job. We're committed to start in California with the two teams in Sacramento and Newport Beach."

Kournikova will headline the Sacramento Capitals' home opener Thursday against the Springfield (Mo.) Lasers. It's her fifth season in WTT and third straight with the Capitals.

"It's awesome that tennis gets to be displayed in cities where normally you don't have big tournaments," Kournikova said. "It's so friendly for the fans. You get to see the current players. You get to see the young and up and coming. So it's just a diversity."

The youngest is 14-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito, who upset Meghann Shaughnessy earlier this year. McEnroe, 48, is the oldest of the 53 players from 18 countries in the league.

McEnroe, who will play for the New York Sportimes in Mamaroneck, said he's "deluded enough to think I can play with the big boys." McEnroe's matches include the regular-season finale against Sharapova's Newport Beach team on July 25.

His strategy against the No. 2 player in the world?

"Keep it nice and low -- she's quite tall," McEnroe said.

Sampras, who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 14, made his WTT debut last summer. He'll be inducted with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, who will play for the Boston Lobsters.

"They've been trying to get me to play Team Tennis since I was a pro," Sampras said, laughing. "It was kind of my first commitment to playing again -- it got me on the court and in shape. I enjoyed it, even though I looked a little rusty."

Players may be joking around in the relaxed atmosphere of mascots, coaches, cheerleaders and music between games. But it gets serious once the ball is in play.

"It's competitive, it's the real deal," said Sampras, who will play for the Newport Beach Breakers. "We're there to play to win."

The men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles format includes four-point games, five-game sets and supertiebreakers.

"People can get into it, make some noise," Sampras said. "I enjoy the team atmosphere of the event. Billie deserves a lot of credit for what they're doing with team tennis. It's accessible and lots of fan contact."

Sampras will play at home July 10 against Sacramento and travel to New York (July 18), Philadelphia (July 19) and St. Louis (July 24). In the meantime, he's been playing golf and keeping up with sons Christian, who is 4 1/2 , and Ryan, almost 2.

The 26-year-old Kournikova retired in 2003 because of back and foot injuries. A winner of two Grand Slam doubles titles at the Australian Open (1999, 2002), she gives tennis clinics at Boys & Girls Clubs and is launching a new sports clothing line.

Her Sacramento coach is Wayne Bryan, father of the Bryan brothers.

"Oh, he's just a blast," Kournikova said. "He is a true tennis enthusiast. He loves the game, and he really is an amazing motivator."

FirmGreen, an alternative fuels and energy company, is trying to motivate fans to think about energy conservation. It's one of six sponsors of the league, and FirmGreen CEO Steve Wilburn is a Newport Beach season ticket holder.

The "Go Green" effort includes planting trees, using solar panels, educating fans about recycling and using hybrid buses. Players will be introduced on a "green carpet" made of recycled material.

"We look at ourselves as a think tank," Kloss said. "We think it's good to try new things. We've really done that throughout the history of the league."

Matches will be shown on the Tennis Channel and Versus, along with regional coverage in WTT cities, which also include Houston, Kansas City, Wilmington, Del., and Schenectady, N.Y. The foreign players drive interest in television packages to Russia, Australia and Japan.

Kids 4 to 16 receive free tennis rackets from sponsor Advanta (100,000 so far), and WTT recreational leagues are offered year-round. Kloss would like to coordinate with the U.S. Tennis Association to be part of the summer "team season" and the buildup for the U.S. Open series.

"We can be an unbelievable way to grow the sport from a community level," she said.

The WTT championship for the King trophy will be held July 27-29 in Roseville, Calif.

Kournikova longs for the bright light of tennis

"Nothing will ever compare to being on the court," she said Monday. "I miss the actual matches and 7-6 in the third, and playing in front of 20,000 people and the adrenalin rush."

Kournikova, speaking during a conference call, will be in Toronto in August to play in the Rogers Cup Tennis Legends, an exhibition event at the annual women's tennis stop in Canada.

Kournikova never won a singles title, but glamour and photogenic looks carried her to places where her game could not. The 26-year-old Russian says the demands of the pro circuit are consuming.

"It's a way of life, it's 24/7, and you've either got to do it or you don't," she said. "You've got to do it while you can and once your body gives up ...

"Plus it is hard mentally," she added. "I have other passions now. But will I find something exactly the same, with the same feeling? No, that's something you really can't duplicate."

Kournikova's biggest success in doubles. She was once the world's No. 1 doubles player and teamed with Martina Hingis to win Grand Slam titles in Australia in 1999 and 2002.

But injuries cut short her career, and she still feels the lingering effects.

"My foot where I have my screw will be itching when it's raining," she said. "I get affected by the weather. I definitely feel it in my joints. I still keep in shape and try to work out, but I definitely feel like I was a professional athlete. I definitely feel like my body has been through a lot."

Nowadays, she plays when she can. She had just stepped off the court before Monday's conference call.

"I'm just trying to get ready for all the masters (events) that I'm going to be playing this summer," Kournikova said. "When I'm home I try to play as much as I can, every other day, even if it's just for half an hour or an hour."

Kournikova, as much fodder as anyone for the celebrity gossip mill, shot down rumors that she split with Enrique Eglesias. She even put in a plug for the pop star.

"Status is that everything is fine and everything is good," Kournikova said. "He's out promoting his new album which is out tomorrow. .. Please everybody get one. But everything is good. I couldn't be happier."

Anna Keeps Them Guessing

As she left a Miami beach gym after her morning workout, the 25-year-old was giving nothing away as she smiled and added: "Ask him."

Asked if comments made by her lover of five years were simply a joke, she added: "I don't know what it was."

Wearing black sweat pants and a red vest top, revealing her highly toned midriff, She then jumped into her luxury SUV before heading off to her luxury home on a nearby private island."

Iglesias sparked a slew of breakup rumors when he told a Swedish newspaper that he and Kournikova had secretly divorced - although their marriage has never been officially confirmed.

"We're divorced. I am single now, but that's OK," he told the newspaper. "I don't mind being alone. I'm not ready for children. I don't feel like taking on such a responsibility yet. But in the future I'd like two children."

His reluctance to settle down and start a family was cited as the reason for driving the couple apart.

But a friend of Kournikova said Iglesias was only joking, and his rep was reported to have said: "They are still together."

The couple seem to enjoy keeping people guessing over the nature of their relationship.

In 2004, rumours circulated that the Spanish singer and the former Russian tennis babe had tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

For months afterwards, Kournikova repeatedly dodged questions about the 'marriage' and added to the confusion by frequently wearing a band on her wedding finger.

Just last month, Iglesias, 32, said his romance with Kournikova was "the only serious relationship I've had in my life."

But when asked if he sees himself with her down the road, he said: "I don't know. The only thing I can say is that, in my opinion, Anna, whether we are together or not, would be an ideal mother."

Enrique Iglesias Only Joking About Anna Kournikova 'Divorce'

"We're divorced. I am single now, but that's okay," he told the newspaper. "I don't mind being alone."

But a Kournikova pal tells PEOPLE that Iglesias was only joking, and his rep adds that, after five years, "They are still together."

In 2004, rumors circulated that the singer and the Russian tennis player, 25, had tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but a source told PEOPLE at the time that it wasn't true.

Just last month, Iglesias, 32, told PEOPLE en Español his romance with Kournikova, 25, was "the only serious relationship I've had in my life."

But when asked if he sees himself with her down the road, he said: "I don't know. The only thing I can say is that, in my opinion, Anna, whether we are together or not, would be an ideal mother."

Enrique Iglesias: Anna Would Be an 'Ideal' Mom

But when asked if he sees himself with her down the road, the singer, 31, tells PEOPLE en Español in its new issue: "I don't know.

"The only thing I can say is that, in my opinion, Anna, whether we are together or not, would be an ideal mother. I think she'd be the perfect mother, and I say it regardless of whether I'd be with her or not."

In 2004, rumors circulated that the singer and the Russian tennis player, 25, had gotten married, but a source told PEOPLE at the time that it wasn't true.

Though Iglesias would not comment back then, he now tells PEOPLE en Español that he and Kournikova are living one day at a time, often spending all day together in Los Angeles or Miami, where each has a home.

Return Smash

We Hear...

Enrique's Holiday Bonanza

We Hear...

Sightings

Hingis urges Kournikova to think hard about comeback

"She'd really have to commit herself and grind it out," Hingis told reporters after revealing Kournikova offered to reprise their doubles partnership that won the 2002 Australian Open title.

"She used to have her mother and a great support team to help her and she doesn't have that now. You can't just play one week and come back. You have to be more professional about it," Hingis said at the Acura Classic, where she is seeded eighth.

The 25-year-old Kournikova, a former world number one doubles player who was ranked in the top 20 in singles from 1998 to 2000, has not played on the tour since cutting her 2003 season short due to a back injury.

She competed this year in the World TeamTennis event and has never officially declared she will not play competitively again.

Hingis played an exhibition with Kournikova last December and says the pin-up Russian must improve before returning.

"She was okay," said the Swiss. "But she would have to train. I don't want to go out there and lose first round."

"It would be great to see her out there.

Roddick, Sampras, Kournikova to play tennis benefit

Five sets of tennis, using the World TeamTennis format, will be played at the Bren Center on the UC Irvine campus. Roddick and Sampras, who retired in 2002, will play the featured men's singles match.

John and King will play a celebrity doubles match and captain two teams. Kournikova, no longer a regular on the women's tour, is set to play both doubles and mixed doubles.

The 14th annual event, last held in California in 2004, is expected to raise more than $500,000 for John's AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.

"Pete was a big part of Smash Hits in the early years and to have him back again along with Andy and Anna gives us the makings of a very entertaining and thrilling night of tennis," said Ilana Kloss, CEO and commissioner of World TeamTennis.

World TeamTennis shakes up status quo

We could be talking about the NBA, but this Sacramento team is in World TeamTennis. The success of the Sacramento Capitals helps explain why the WTT is still around.

The league began its 31st season of co-ed team play Thursday. Like the Kings of the NBA, the Caps began playing in the old Arco Arena. But they have since found a more accessible if unlikely home — in the parking lot of Sunrise Mall.

"We try to make sure everyone has a good time," team owner Lonnie Nielson says. "The tennis stands for itself. We'll do pins, we've done the ThunderStix, the bobbleheads. We also create jerseys for our players with their names on the back. We sold the same similar jerseys to our fan base, and the fans identify with our players."

The league hasn't been afraid to try different things before the rest of the tennis world, beginning with the team concept, but also including instant replay, the first women's pro sports commissioner, Billie Jean King, (current Commissioner Ilana Kloss also is a woman), no-ad scoring, super-tiebreakers, allowing fans to keep balls that go out of play and music on the court between games. This year all 12 WTT venues will be played on multi-colored courts.

"We kind of snicker at the U.S. Open, because everything they come up with that's 'new' we've done before," Nielson says.

Teams often fill out their rosters with lesser-ranked but popular players with local ties.

The Philadelphia Freedoms have Lisa Raymond, who grew up in Norristown, Pa., the Newport Beach Breakers have ATP veteran Rick Leach of Laguna Beach, Calif., and the Caps have ATP rookie Sam Warburg, who grew up in Sacramento.

But the main draw for the league is its ability to keep bigger names interested. Martina Hingis started her comeback with WTT tennis and will play in the league again this year. Pete Sampras is testing the waters with his first season of WTT tennis. Venus Williams, John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova all return, along with Anna Kournikova, who is playing her fourth year in the league and second in a row with the Caps.

"There's a gazillion reasons for me playing (WTT)," Kournikova said. "I really enjoy it and have fun with my team. ... I'm playing with one of my best friends, Elena Likhovtseva. I literally grew up with her. We had a blast on the road last year."

WORLD TEAMTENNIS FACTS

A match is a contest between two WTT teams and consists of five sets plus overtime, if any, and super-tiebreaker, if necessary. The events/sets are men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.

Scoring: All games, sets and super-tiebreakers are won by a margin of one point. Game scoring is no-ad (first team to win four points wins the game). In mixed doubles, the serve is always gender to gender at deuce (three points each). Each game counts as one point in the team's cumulative match score. Players change sides after every four games. Lets are played, and either partner may return the let serve.

Season: July 6-26 this year.

Teams: There are 12 teams in WTT -- the Boston Lobsters, Delaware Smash, Hartford (Conn.) FoxForce, Houston Wranglers, Kansas City Explorers, New York Buzz, New York Sportimes, Newport Beach (Calif.) Breakers, Philadelphia Freedoms, Sacramento Capitals, Springfield (Mo.) Lasers and St. Louis Aces.

Sightings

Bare-Butt Call

Celebs Join Bush for Reporters' Dinner

Continuing a tradition begun by Calvin Coolidge, President Bush planned to attend the annual dinner Saturday that is hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association.

"I will see you all tomorrow night, I guess," Bush told reporters at the White House on Friday. "Looking forward to it. I hope you are, as well."

Booked as the featured entertainer was Stephen Colbert, whose Comedy Central show "The Colbert Report" often lampoons the Washington establishment.

Yet it's the Who's Who of power and celebrity in the audience — invited by media organizations to their dinner tables — that draws much of the attention.

Expected to join ABC were former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame, the CIA officer at the heart of a leak investigation that has reached deep into the White House.

Others on the guest list included rapper-actor Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges; James Denton, the hunky plumber on "Desperate Housewives" on ABC; "Dancing With the Stars" winner Drew Lachey; New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin; tennis player Anna Kournikova; and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

There was also talk that George Clooney, speaking at a Darfur rally near the Capitol Sunday, might make an appearance.

The award winners announced earlier this month are:

_Deb Riechmann of The Associated Press and Terry Moran of ABC News, Merriman Smith Awards, the top journalism award for White House reporting under deadline pressure.

Riechmann was recognized for breaking the news of Bush's choice of John Roberts for the Supreme Court. Moran was cited for his broadcast coverage of Bush's first visit to areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.

_Carl Cannon of the National Journal, the Aldo Beckman Award for his profile of presidential adviser Michael Gerson. The award is given for repeated excellence in White House reporting.

_Marcus Stern and Jerry Kammer of the Copley News Service, the Edgar A. Poe Award for a series of stories on Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who resigned in disgrace and pleaded guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes. The Poe award recognizes excellence in news of national and regional importance.

The association was established in 1914 as a bridge between the press corps and the White House. The current president is Mark Smith of AP Radio.

Sightings

Sightings

Yahoo's annual Buzz Index

Spears has been No. 1 for three of the last four years, upended last year by the search for "American Idol," Yahoo said Wednesday.

The list "shows us that people are fixated on the activities of pop culture icons," said Erik Gunther, guru of what Yahoo calls its Buzz Index.

Rounding out the Top 10 list, in order, are 50 Cent, Cartoon Network, Mariah Carey, Green Day, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Eminem, Ciara and Lindsay Lohan.

Gunther said that it was consumer interest in Cartoon Network's lineup of raunchier fare known as Adult Swim that made it the only nonhuman to crack the Top 10 list.

In the sports category of searches, NFL scored highest, just ahead of NASCAR and Major League Baseball. Tennis pro Anna Kournikova and auto racer Danica Patrick were the only humans cracking the Top 10, which consisted more typically of sports leagues and teams.

Movies honors went to "Star Wars," "Napoleon Dynamite," "Batman Begins," the not-yet released "Superman Begins" and "Spider-Man."

In the news-event category, the most searches were for "tsunami" followed by " Iraq" and " Michael Jackson trial." " Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie" was No. 6, " President Bush" was No. 9 and Tom Cruise was No. 10.

Searchers of still-photos on the Internet were most interested in Simpson, Hilton, Spears, Lohan and Jolie, while video searchers went for Spears, "anime," "funny videos," Simpson and 50 Cent.

The most-searched for TV shows were "American Idol," "The Simpsons," "Family Guy" and "Days of Our Lives."

Yahoo also measured the biggest movers each month. News of his death made "Tonight Show" legend Johnny Carson the big mover in January, for example.

Other top movers were Daniel Craig in October, after it was learned he'd assume the role of secret agent 007 in the upcoming James Bond film and "Lost" actress Cynthia Watros so far this month, whose arrest for driving while intoxicated sparked a flurry of Internet activity.

Former WTA star Anna Kournikova keeps comeback possibility open

The 24-year-old Russian, who hasn't played professionally since 2003 because of back problems, said she doesn't have any plans to return to the WTA Tour any time soon, but added that "the possibility is not completely out of the question."

Kournikova made the comments in Brazil ahead of the match against Hingis on a court set up on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach on Saturday night.

They follow Hingis's recent confirmation that she is getting ready to return to the professional circuit.

The 25-year-old Swiss player retired from the WTA Tour in 2002 after battling a series of injuries.

"I'm just waiting for a wild card to play in the Australian Open," Hingis said Friday. "To face Anna will be a good test for me."

Kournikova and Hingis teamed up to win the Australian Open doubles title in 1999 and 2002.

Hingis won five Grand Slam singles titles in her career and was only 16 when she took over the top ranking in March 1997.

On Friday, three-time French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil beat Argentina's Mariano Puerta to win an exhibition tournament, also at Copacabana beach. Nicolas Kiefer of Germany and Robby Ginepri of the United States also took part in the event.

Mama's got a brand-new bag

Kooba Sienna bag

Inspired by Sienna Miller's bohemian-chic look; there's already a waiting list for the bag in a light brown hue (called luggage). The bag also comes in white and cream.

Star power: Carried by Miller (naturally), Katie Holmes, Jennifer Garner, Teri Hatcher

Costs: $560

Get it: Saks Fifth Avenue New York

Louis Vuitton's Monogram Denim bag

Hollywood's venerable high-end handbag gets fun and funky for the spring.

Star power: Identities of the A-list celebs already wait-listed for next month's debut of the Denim bag are top-secret, according to LV. Vuitton's Cerise (cherry) Speedy 25 bag is popular with Carmen Electra and Jessica Simpson.

Costs: Denim bags, with natural leather trim, $1,000-$2,000; with red alligator trim, $4,000-$5,000; Cerise bag, $995

Get it: Vuitton stores, or call 866-Vuitton

Christian Dior's John Galliano Detective bag

Inspired by mystery movies, it comes in three sizes (the largest can hold a change of clothes) and colors (red, black, cream) with lots of pockets.

Star power: Carried by Uma Thurman, Julianne Moore, Christina Aguilera, Penelope Cruz, Elizabeth Hurley

Costs: $1,450-$2,790

Get it: Dior boutiques nationwide

Balenciaga classic bag

Celebs are drooling over the designer's new spring colors, including bright pink and turquoise and "granny green" (think Granny Smith apple). The new leather-trimmed canvas bag is just as hot.

Star power: Carried by Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicky Hilton, Anna Kournikova. Nicole Richie was out March 23 toting the granny-green bag; Ashley Olsen was spotted with the canvas bag on March 22.

Costs: $465-$1,385

Get it: Barneys New York, Maxfields (Los Angeles), Blake (Chicago)

Gucci's Small Studded Flap bag

It comes in several hues (including pink and green), in ostrich, velvet or crocodile, with lots of hardware, a bamboo handle and a zip pocket inside.

Star power: Carried by Jessica Alba and Sarah Jessica Parker

Costs: $4,900

Get it: Select Gucci stores, 800-234-8224

Bulga tassle hobo bag

It's big enough to hold a water bottle, a Sidekick and several movie scripts. And it comes in the hot color for arm candy this spring: yellow.

Star power: Carried by Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Mena Suvari

Costs: $390 for medium; $440 for large

Get it: Barneys; bulgausa.com

Man accused of stalking tennis star Anna Kournikova ruled unfit for trial

William Lepeska will be treated at a restrictive mental facility in Florida for the next six months under the order by Circuit Judge Diane Ward. If he shows sufficient improvement, Lepeska could then be tried on charges stemming from his alleged attempts to contact Kournikova in person, by mail and via the Internet.

"His illness is very legitimate," Ward said.

If he does stand trial, Lepeska faces a possible sentence of 30 years in prison on charges of battery on police officers, resisting arrest and burglary.

Lepeska was removed from the courtroom after repeatedly and loudly shuffling papers and speaking in a disjointed and fragmented way. Two psychiatrists and one psychologist who examined the 40-year-old man in jail testified that he exhibited similar behaviour then as well and that he is not taking any medication for mental illness.

"Everything is part of a conspiracy where he's been wronged," said psychologist Jethro Toomer. "He sees himself as a victim."

Lepeska, who once stabbed a sleeping college student in Wisconsin, was arrested Jan. 30 after swimming nude across Biscayne Bay in an attempt to reach Kournikova's home on Sunset Island. He wound up on the pool deck of the wrong house and was yelling "Anna! Save me!" when officers took him into custody.

At a previous court hearing, Kournikova said she has hired bodyguards and added security to her home since that episode. She also said Lepeska has sent her sexually explicit e-mails and letters. The 23-year-old player did not attend Wednesday's hearing.

We Hear...

Graf, Kournikova to play in World Team Tennis match

Graf, who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, will play one home match in July for the Wranglers.

"I am excited to be a part of WTT's 30th season," the 35-year-old Graf said. "I have great respect for what Billie Jean King has done for our sport and her vision of making tennis more fun and accessible to everyone."

Graf retired in 1999 with 107 singles titles, including a calendar-year Grand Slam in 1988, when she also won an Olympic gold medal. Elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame last year, Graf and husband Andre Agassi have two children.

Another Hall of Famer, McEnroe, was the top overall draft pick, going to the New York Sportimes - a team co-owned by his younger brother, U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe.

Also selected Tuesday: Kournikova (Sacramento Capitals), Boris Becker (Hartford FoxForce), Venus Williams (Delaware Smash), Martina Navratilova (Boston Lobsters), Maria Sharapova (Newport Beach Breakers), and Lindsay Davenport (Springfield Lasers).

The WTT Pro League regular season is July 4-24; the finals are Sept. 16-17 in Sacramento.

Kournikova, Duff Land 'View' Fill-In Gigs

"We're trying to pick people that are fun for our audience to see -- and we want to make sure everybody knows this is not a job audition," "View" executive producer Bill Geddie tells The New York Post.

"Survivor: Outback" star Hasselbeck, who won a lengthy on-air audition process to replace Lisa Ling, is married to quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who spent last season on the Washington Redskins' bench, never taking a sack.

Other guest host lined up for Hasselbeck's absence include "Desperate Housewives" co-star Andrea Bowen, "That '70s Show" starlet Mila Kunis and Kaley Cuoco of "8 Simple Rules." Duff is reportedly confirmed for the week of April 4 and Kunis will join hosts Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar and Barbara Walters April 27 to 29.

Kournikova Cross-Examined by Her Stalker

William Lepeska, 40 -- who swam nude across Miami's Biscayne Bay to look for the Russian-born beauty's home, but was caught near her neighbor's swimming pool on Sunday, Jan. 30 -- acted as his own attorney in the Miami courtroom on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

"This will be my last chance to address her," Lepeska told the court, according to CelebrityJustice.com. "I have questions here."

Although many of his questions went unanswered due to her lawyers' objections, some bizarre ones slipped through.

"Ms. Kournikova, do you have any secret prejudices against Americans?" Lepeska asked, to which Anna replied, "Absolutely not. I love this country, and I've been living here since 1991."

The beloved tennis superstar was in court to seek a permanent restraining order against Lepeska. Not only was the request granted, but she also received an apology from her alleged stalker who seemingly saw the error of his ways.

"I had all kinds of delusional assumptions about Anna's feelings toward me," he said. That's putting it mildly. During the January nudity incident, Lepeska claimed that she was expecting him in her home, and when police arrived to pull him away, he yelled, "Anna, save me!"

Lepeska also sent sexually explicit emails sent to her and posted messages on her web page. He has the name "Anna" tattooed on his right bicep.

As the "Britney Spears of Tennis," Kournikova became known more for her looks than her skill with a racket. Although she won a couple of doubles titles with Martina Hingis, she never bagged a major tournament. In March 2004, she officially retired from pro tennis due to chronic back problems.

She's capitalized on her looks and celebrity for minor showbiz parts, appearing as a motel manager in 2000's "Me, Myself & Irene" and in a guest appearance on NBC's "The Apprentice 2."

Kournikova's accused stalker told to stay 1,000 feet away

William Lepeska, who has been detained in a psychiatric unit on $250,000 bond, faces up to 30 years in state prison if convicted of two counts of battery on police officers, resisting arrest and burglary, all felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of stalking, indecent exposure and criminal mischief.

The 40-year-old Lepeska, who once stabbed a sleeping college student, admitted swimming nude across Biscayne Bay, bound for Kournikova's $5 million estate Jan. 30. He was arrested when he turned up on the pool deck at the wrong house and started yelling, ``Anna! Save me!''

``I was absolutely shocked and fearful, and I was very much concerned for my safety,'' Kournikova testified. ``It was very frightening and scary and just knowing there is someone out there who's obsessive.''

She said she has hired bodyguards for the first time and added security at her home since Lepeska's arrest.

The 23-year-old Russian athlete -- known more for her looks than her play on the court -- sought the civil restraining order after Lepeska sent her six sexually explicit letters plus e-mails to her Web site since August.

In one letter, Lepeska explained that if they ``were lovers we would have no need for other people, food or water,'' according to court papers.

Lepeska served a Wisconsin prison term for stabbing a man sleeping in a university student union coffeehouse and telling police he was ``a slave to an evil that he could not escape'' in 1995.

Before court convened, Lepeska told reporters that he was in love with Spice Girl Melanie Brown for five years and repeatedly wrote her, ``but finally I said the heck with her, moving on to greener pastures.''

Lepeska acknowledged past mental illness at the hearing, where he acted as his own attorney.

``I thought Anna possibly had some sincere regard for me,'' he said. ``I had all sorts of delusional assumptions about Anna.''

When the judge concluded Lepeska showed ``stalking behavior,'' he interrupted to say, ``Proper courting behavior.''

After he was told contact with Kournikova wasn't allowed, Lepeska lashed out at the judge and her ``Mafia accent.'' He said he may pursue an insanity defense in his criminal case.

Kournikova's accused stalker pleads innocent to battery charges

William Lepeska, 40, has been jailed in a psychiatric unit on $250,000 bond. He could face 30 years in state prison if convicted of two counts of battery on police officers, resisting arrest and burglary, all felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of stalking, indecent exposure and criminal mischief.

Circuit Judge Diane Ward set a trial date for May 2 for Lepeska, who sat in court with his arms handcuffed behind his back.

Lepeska is accused of swimming nude across Biscayne Bay, bound for Kournikova's $5 million Sunset Island estate Jan. 30. He was arrested when he turned up at the wrong house and started yelling, ``Anna! Save me!''

Lepeska, who has the name Anna tattooed on his right arm, has served a prison term in Wisconsin for stabbing a man sleeping in a university student union coffee house. In the Milwaukee case, he cited Old Testament sacrifice and told police that he needed to sacrifice his victim ``to appease the power of evil.''

Sightings

Bail increased for tennis star Anna Kournikova's alleged stalker

William Lepeska was arrested Jan. 30 after police said he swam nude across Biscayne Bay in search of Kournikova's $5 million house on Miami Beach's Sunset Island 3. He was arrested naked in a neighbour's pool area.

Circuit Court Judge Diane Ward increased Lepeska's bail from $50,000, saying she was concerned because Lepeska was showing signs of instability and possibly delusional thinking.

"We are trying to protect the community. We consider him a threat," prosecutor Peta Fancy-Jackson said.

Fancy-Jackson told the judge Lepeska was convicted of first-degree reckless injury in Milwaukee for stabbing a sleeping college student. He was imprisoned from 1995 to 2000. In late 2001, he was returned to prison for eight months for violating his probation.

Kournikova's lawyer Dan Gelber read from the Milwaukee police report that the reason he had committed the act was "to appease the power of evil."

Lepeska is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 22.

Alleged Kournikova stalker once stabbed sleeping college student

William Lepeska was arrested Jan. 30 after police said he swam nude across Biscayne Bay in search of Kournikova's $5 million US house on Miami Beach's Sunset Island 3.

Prosecutor Stephen Immasche convinced County Court Judge Fred Seraphin to raise Lepeska's bail from $26,000 to $50,000 after Wisconsin officials said Lepeska had stabbed a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee male student in the head and neck area five or six times.

Lepeska was convicted of first-degree reckless injury and was imprisoned from 1995 to 2000. In late 2001, he was returned to prison for eight months for violating his probation.

Lepeska remained at Miami-Dade County Jail, pending a Friday arraignment on stalking and burglary charges.

Pavel Bure sues over lewd Anna Kournikova article

Bure is suing Arbat Prestizh for 300 million rubles ($13.33 million Cdn), according to the English-language Times.

"I believe that the magazine Arbat Prestizh Telegid disseminated information inconsistent with reality (and) besmirching my honour and dignity," the Times reported Bure as saying in a filing to Moscow's Tagansky district court last week.

In addition to monetary compensation, Bure is demanding that Arbat Prestizh print a retraction and an apology in the retailer's free weekly, which ran the story in December under the title Russian Rocket In Freefall.

Arbat Prestizh declined comment on the case, saying only that "the situation remains unclear."

Bure and Kournikova, who are both Russian, have been romantically linked in the past. Five years ago, Bure denied reports he had proposed to Kournikova.

Millions of dollars in moral damages are normally not awarded in Russia "unless special interests are involved," lawyer Igor Trunov told the Times.

"Bure will have to prove moral suffering . . . resulting in such harm as health damages . . . which will be difficult," said Trunov, who specializes in such cases. "There is no legal mechanism for calculating the monetary equivalent of moral damages in Russia."

Bure, whose hockey career has been derailed by serious knee injuries, hasn't played since 2002-03 when he was a New York Ranger.

Man accused of stalking Anna Kournikova at her Miami Beach home

Police said William Lepeska screamed, "Anna! Save me!" as he was taken away Jan. 30. He is scheduled to make a court appearance Wednesday. Lepeska, 40, who sports an Anna tattoo on his right biceps, was found near the swimming pool of a house three doors from Kournikova's $5-million US home.

"He thought he was at Anna Kournikova's home," officer Dennis White wrote in a police report.

Police said Lepeska acknowledged that he spent several months searching for her address on the Internet and swam nude around 200 metres after locating it.

Lepeska sent Kournikova "numerous letters and posted e-mails to her Web page" and "made several alarming statements indicating that he believed Ms. Kournikova had left a door unlocked for him to enter her residence and left clothing for him to wear as if she was expecting his arrival," police said.

Ivy Mollenkamp, the tennis player's Los Angeles publicist, said in a statement that what happened "has caused Anna to be very concerned and fearful for her safety," calling the allegations "extremely alarming and threatening." Kournikova was co-operating with prosecutors and "consulting with her personal security team."

At Miami Beach police headquarters, Lepeska "refused to stand for a photograph" and demanded a psychiatric evaluation. He became "hostile and belligerent," assumed a "boxer's fighting stance ... and began throwing punches," police said.

He allegedly bit an officer's left thumb, drawing blood, and hit White in the chest. Police used pepper spray and an expandable baton to subdue him. Police charged him with aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.

Lepeska was also charged with exposing himself in the presence of a child after the three-year-old daughter of Kournikova's neighbour saw him "laid out spread eagle in a very lewd manner" on a lawn chair by the pool.

Miami-Dade County Court Judge Gerald Klein issued a restraining order against Lepeska on Friday. Lepeska is currently being held in the county jail on a $26,000 bail.

Kournikova's lawyers, Dan Gelber and Steve Chaykin, did not immediately return phone messages Tuesday.

ANNA'S IN THE WRONG COURT

Anna, Enrique Still Playing Singles

The 23-year-old retired tennis star known more for her good looks than her on-the-court prowess created quite a stir last week when she told fans that she had married Iglesias, 29, her Latin crooner boyfriend of two years. "Enrique is great. Everything is awesome. We are married," she told onlookers at a charity tennis event Dec. 12 in Boca Raton, Fla., Us Weekly reported. For the Grand Slam, Kournikova flashed her wedding ring to photographers.

But on Monday, People reported that the couple are not - repeat - NOT married.

On Tuesday, People and Us Weekly said they were standing by their respective stories and are confident of their sources.

Publicists for Kournikova and Iglesias refuse to clarify the couple's relationship. "We never comment on our clients' personal lives," says her rep, Ivy Mollenkamp.

Major media outlets including the Associated Press reported on the nuptials, citing the initial report in Us Weekly that described the wedding ceremony (on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) and even the bride's dress (a long white gown).

E! reports that there's no record of a marriage license ever being issued for the duo. And People says the couple haven't been to Puerto Vallarta since mid-October, weeks before their alleged ceremony. Oh, and about that wedding ring? It's a plain old band that Kournikova wears often, People adds.

"Anna has a complicated relationship with the subject of marriage," says Us Weekly editor Janice Min. "They do enjoy the cat-and-mouse guessing game they put the media through."

Kournikova isn't the first celeb to fib about her marital status. Janet Jackson was secretly married for years to Rene Elizondo; they are now divorced. R&B singer Brandy admitted this year that her former "marriage" to producer Robert Smith was actually "a spiritual union." And in September, the wedding ceremony of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline turned out to be not quite legal, though the couple filed the required paperwork and are now legally wed.

Married or not, Kournikova and Iglesias, who began dating in 2002 after she appeared in his music video Escape, are still going strong.

Anna, Enrique Still Playing Singles

The retired tennis hottie created waves last week when she reportedly told onlookers at a charity event that she had tied the knot with boyfriend Enrique Iglesias.

"Enrique is great. Everything is awesome. We are married," she said, while flaunting a wedding ring, according to Us Weekly.

However, sources close to Iglesias have told E! that the PDA-heavy pair have not swapped vows and remain legally, if not physically, unattached.

It's not the first time Kournikova has served up a false story about her marital status. She has joked about being married to Iglesias in the past and also denied that she was ever married to hockey star Sergei Fedorov. (The twosome wed briefly in 2001.)

A source close to Kournikova told People magazine that the camera-friendly pair had not taken the steps to make their love match official.

"They definitely did not get married," the source told People. "They're very happy together, but marriage is not something that they're planning in their lives right now."

As for the so-called wedding ring Kournikova flashed, another source close to the blonde bombshell told People that it is simply an ordinary ring that the oft-Googled athlete has owned for over a year and wears often.

The duo was said to have wed in an ultra-private ceremony on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, according to Us Weekly; however, the last time the couple were together in Puerto Vallarta was reportedly back in October--months before their supposed wedding was said to have taken place. Meanwhile, officials in the region have said no paperwork had been filed to make any such ceremony legal.

Reps for both halves of the pair refused to comment on the "union."

"We never comment on our client's personal lives," Kournikova publicist Ivy Mollenkamp said. A flack for Iglesias was equally tight-lipped.

So, what's with Kournikova putting herself through the rumor mill? Perhaps she's missing the attention she once garnered as a professional athlete.

The short-skirt wearing tennis diva officially hung up her racquet last March after suffering from chronic back pain.

Though Kournikova was once ranked eighth in the world, she never won a major tournament. She did, however, manage to score plenty of endorsements, thanks to her looks and trademark blonde ponytail.

In 2002, the striking Russian was named FHM magazine's Sexiest Woman in the World. That same year, she starred in the video for Iglesias' hit, "Escape," and the two began dating.

Iglesias, the son of Julio Iglesias Jr., has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. His Spanish-language album, Quizas, released in 2002, won a Latin Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Album. His latest effort, Seven, was released in 2003.

Both halves of the celeb duo have tried their hand on the big screen. Kournikova had a small role in 2000's Me, Myself and Irene with Jim Carrey, while Iglesias appeared in 2003's Once Upon a Time in Mexico with Salma Hayek.

Anna Kournikova Reportedly Marries Iglesias

The magazine said Kournikova, 23, was spotted wearing a wedding band on her ring finger at a charity tennis event in Florida on Sunday. When asked about her relationship with Iglesias, she was heard telling onlookers; "Enrique is great. Everything is awesome. We are married," Us reported.

Kournikova and the Latin crooner, 29, have been dating since she appeared playing his girlfriend in the 2002 music video for his hit "Escape" and have jokingly claimed in the past to be married.

Representatives for the pair declined to confirm the reports on Tuesday but Us, quoting unidentified sources, said they were wed on the beach in the Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago. Kournikova's publicist said "We never comment on her personal life."

"It was a very small and secret wedding -- only family and a few very close friends were invited," the source told the magazine.

Kournikova first wowed crowds as a teenager in the late 1990s and became known as the "Britney Spears of Tennis" although she never won a major tournament before announcing her retirement from professional tennis in March 2004.

Iglesias, the son of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, sings in both Spanish and English and has had worldwide hits with songs such as "Bailamos" and "Hero."

Williams sisters face each other in doubles tennis exhibition

Sightings

Enter to win a chance to meet Anna Kournikova!

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Visit www.gilletteyoungguns.com to learn more about the contest and to enter.

Kournikova Countersues Parents Over Home

The tennis player filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Wednesday, about a week after Sergei and Alla Kournikova sued their daughter in the same court. The parents want money for their share of the Miami Beach home, which they claim Anna Kournikova has taken over.

All three are listed as owners of the seven-bedroom, seven-bath home, according to property records. Anna Kournikova claims in the lawsuit that she paid the entire $5 million purchase price, plus an additional $1 million for improvements.

"Anna tried to resolve this dispute out of court and is disappointed that it has become a matter of public record," said her attorney, Michael B. Chesal. "She is terribly saddened by the situation."

Kournikova, 22, who has never won a tournament and is known mostly for her supermodel looks, has not played competitive tennis in more than a year because of injuries.

Anna Kournikova's parents sue her over Florida house

Sergei and Alla Kournikova filed the lawsuit last week in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. They want the seven-bedroom home "partitioned," meaning they want money for their share of the home. It was bought for $5 million in 2000.

Her agent, David Schwab, said Thursday he was unaware of the lawsuit and had no immediate comment.

Kournikova has never won a tournament and is known mostly for her supermodel looks. The 22-year-old Russian has not played competitive tennis in more than a year because of injuries.

Enrique gets top seed for cheating

That's because he bedded a busty blonde in London, according to a British publication.

Emma Kearney had sex with the singer in a bathroom after meeting him in a nightclub, says England's biggest selling newspaper, the News of the World.

And even though the Spanish heartthrob confessed recently he didn't have a lot to brag about in the trouser department, Emma says he more than makes up for his shortcomings.

"We did it so many ways in so many different contorted positions I felt like a gymnast!"

Simpson tops 'Maxim' Hot 100

(Or No. 36, for that matter. That's where Britney Spears lands.)

In its fifth year, the Hot 100 is a barometer of the hottest women in film, TV, music, sports and fashion. The criteria: beautiful women with careers that are on fire.

Her star took off last year with MTV's reality hit Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica and multiplatinum CD In This Skin. Coming up this year: the special Nick & Jessica Variety Hour on ABC this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, a comedy pilot for ABC and the launch of her edible fragrance line, Dessert.

The rest of Maxim's top 10:

2. Beyoncé Knowles
3. Christina Aguilera
4. Anna Kournikova
5. Jennifer Lopez
6. Mischa Barton
7. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
8. Paris Hilton
9. Jessica Alba
10. Halle Berry

Anna Kournikova to play in exhibition match at Hamilton Tennis Club

The tennis star will play an exhibition match June 12 at the Hamilton Tennis Club during the BC Decker/ITF Challenger tournament, event officials announced Thursday. "Bringing Anna to play an exhibition match during our tournament raises the cross-bar several notches," Brian Decker, the tournament's director, said in a release. "Through Anna's participation, we will attract a very large crowd to the club to see the finest female athletes play the game at an extremely high level."

Kournikova, known as much for her looks as for her play on the court, is currently ranked 584th in the world.

She was ranked eighth in November 2000.

Kournikova has two ITF titles to her credit but has yet to win a singles event on the WTA Tour.

The Latest On Enrique

Enrique dumps Kournikova

Anna: Payback Time For Uncourtly Behavior

Mixed Double

Sightings

Anna Kournikova to be in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Kournikova, known more for her looks than her sport, is featured along with several other athletes in the upcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Serena Williams, Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez, New York Rangers centre Petr Nedved, Titans running back Eddie George, jockey Jose Santos and skateboarder Tony Hawk also are pictured.

This is the seventh straight year SI has featured athletes as part of its swimsuit issue, which goes on sale Feb. 11.

Also, as part of the 40th anniversary issue, 11 of the most well-known models in the history of the magazine posed for a Hall of Fame portrait. The photo includes Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, Vendela, Roshumba, Stacey Williams, Rachel Hunter, Valeria Mazza, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum.

Third Wheel

Enrique And Anna: Splitsville?

Bryant overtakes Kournikova as web darling

Internet portal Lycos chief Aaron Schatz said that Bryant's jump from 72nd last year to sixth followed allegations of rape made against the 25-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star last July.

Kournikova still only 22 and still searching for her first career title has refused to write off her career despite a chronic back injury which has blighted her recent performances.

Individually Bryant and Kournikova are way ahead of Michael Jordan, David Beckham, Allen Iverson, Serena Williams, LeBron James and Muhammad Ali, who also make the top ten.

Nicole Kidman Saved by Anna Kournikova

Wailed Nicole: "I don't even have another pair upstairs that matches my dress!" Just then, Enrique Iglesias and his ravishing Russkie, Anna Kournikova, exited and spotted Nicole holding her shattered shoe. Enrique intro'd old pal Nicole to Anna, who chirped: "Here, take my shoes - they're a perfect match. I'm in jeans, so I'll just go back up and get another pair."

Gushing thank-yous, Nicole made like Cinderella, rushed to the ball in her pretty slippers - and messengered them back to Anna the next day.

Kournikova refuses to quit

The glamour girl of tennis, still only 22, claimed just one victory on the WTA Tour during the 2003 season, beating Slovakia's Henrieta Nagyova in the first round of the Australian Open in January.

She then played one match on home ground in Miami, lost in the first round in Sarasota and retired during her first round match at Amelia Island the following week.

Even stepping down to an ITF Challenger event in May in the search for an elusive victory proved unsuccessful, as she eventually retired during her semi-final. That was the last official match she played.

"I still love tennis and want to play, but I have a chronic back condition which makes it impossible to play more than week at a time," said Kournikova Sunday after competing in an exhibition match against Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn in Pattaya.

"As an athlete you must expect injuries and you have to learn how to deal with it, but it is very frustrating. But I really enjoyed playing against Tammy."

Kournikova still keeps in shape and showed plenty of the skills that once earned her victories over Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis, and took her to the Wimbledon semi-finals. And she is so keen to play regularly again that she is even considering surgery.

"That is one of the options I'm looking at," she revealed. "I hate needles, but I have to look at everything."

And she discounts the constant reports that she is much more interested in an acting career than returning to the tennis arena.

"When there is no information about me there will always be rumours," she said. "I should hold up a sign. My number one priority is tennis. That's what I want to do, far above anything else."

Tidbits

Kournikova to co-host World Music Awards

He is up for best-selling pop male, R&B artist, rap/hip-hop artist, new artist and recording artist.

George Benson and Chaka Khan will both be crowned with the Legend Award at the show, to be hosted by actor Rupert Everett and tennis player Anna Kournikova. The event's patron, Prince Albert of Monaco, will present Mariah Carey with the Diamond Award, in recognition of worldwide album sales in excess of 100 million units.

Sightings

Sightings

Russian Anna Kournikova's three-day stint with USA Network over

Kournikova didn't fare much better as a roving TV reporter than she did as a globe-trotting tennis ingenue.

The glamorous Russian, who worked three days at the Open during USA Network's coverage, said she was uncomfortable interviewing other players and spent too much time eating.

A back injury has put her career in jeopardy, but she told tennisreporters.net that she isn't likely to make the segue into broadcasting full-time.

"We'd only contracted for her to work three days and that's the way it went down," USA spokesman Tom Caraccioli said. "Then again, who knows what opportunities will arise for her in the future."

Kournikova Everywhere at U.S. Open Except on Court

She has been spotted this week throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a New York Yankees game, doing the late night talk show circuit and walking the red carpet at an MTV awards party.

To the delight of many testosterone charged Kournikova addicts, the seductive Russian has even taken on the role of "entertainment reporter" for an American television network at this year's final grand slam.

In fact, tennis diva Anna Kournikova has been spotted nearly everywhere in New York this week except the one place you would expect to find her -- on court at the U.S. Open with a racket in her hand.

While the injured Kournikova has not given up the idea of returning to the courts to end one of the sporting world's most celebrated winless streaks, her absence at Flushing Meadows has left a gaping hole.

With the headline hogging Williams sisters also absent with injuries, the U.S. Open this year has provided fertile ground for the newest, hottest tennis blonde to take root.

In a "Pop Idol" type search, the waif-like Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, the "American Anna" Ashley Harkleroad and the latest Russian "Siberian Siren" Maria Sharapova have all been trotted out in an attempt to fill the glamour void left by Kournikova.

But finding the next Kournikova is proving to be a tougher task than unearthing the next Pete Sampras.

The media, agents, marketing experts and to a certain extent the WTA, have all pushed, promoted and prodded their idea of the next tennis diva on to Anna's throne with limited success.

ONE KOURNIKOVA

It seems, for now, there is only one Kournikova.

"I think she was great for the game," said 1998 Open champion Lindsay Davenport. "I'd never seen anyone sell out first-round matches in tournaments but Anna.

"The amount of fans she alone would bring in was huge.

"But we've gone through years and years of players being injured, she's another one.

"I have no idea if she plans on playing again or coming back. I think she's been battling a lot of injuries the last couple of years."

Around Flushing Meadows there was no question who was going to be missed more -- Sampras or Kournikova.

Although Sampras retired on Monday with 14 grand slam wins and 64 singles titles on his resume and Kournikova has yet to claim her first trophy in eight years as a professional, it was the Russian pin-up a group of New York fire-fighters said they were missing most.

But not many have embraced Kournikova's new role as reporter, the New York Post summing up her performance in a single headline, "Anna's TV gig makes her tennis look good."

For her new assignment Kournikova, microphone in hand, prowled the players lounge in a micro-mini, red bra and fur-trimmed boots giving viewers an insight at what goes on.

"It's her first time on TV and she's working hard," said USA Network spokesman Tom Caraccioli, when asked about Kournikova's performance.

"She is generating loads of excitement around the grounds, it's rock star like proportions."

Double Fault

Kournikova At 'Kid's Day'

The daylong festival of kids' tennis activities and music serves as the kick-off event for the U.S. Open, which runs from August 25 through September 7. Highlights from the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day stadium show will air nationally August 24 on CBS.

Arthur Ashe Kids' Day benefits several youth-oriented charities and USA Tennis National Junior Tennis League (NJTL), a program co-founded by Ashe in 1969 to provide tennis opportunities to economically disadvantaged children.

Report: Agent fears for Kournikova's future

In the latest issue of French sports daily L'Equipe, agent Phil De Picciotto admitted that the 22-year-old ravishing Russian may be forced to dramatically cut back her playing schedule - if she is able to return to action.

Kournikova has had a miserable run of results over the past couple of seasons and did not play at the French Open or Wimbledon due to injury. She has played just five events this year and recently withdrew from the entire summer hardcourt season, including the U.S. Open.

"Considering the state of her back, Anna is unable to to feature in tournaments regularly," De Picciotto told L'Equipe. "The past six months have proved that she has a real desire to play, but even if she feels better, she is not fit enough to play as much as she used to."

The pin-up girl of tennis, Kournikova has never won a singles title on the WTA Tour, with most of her riches predominantly coming from sponsorship deals. She tried to resurrect her career in May by playing on the Challenger circuit, but had to pull out due to her back ailment.

Her best performance in seven years as a professional came when she reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1997. She reached a career-high eighth in the world rankings in December 2000.

US skin mag settles with Russian tennis beauty

Penthouse had already apologized for the photos which ran in its June 2002 issue, prompting Kournikova to launch the suit in a California court.

"The case has been settled to the satisfaction of the parties," said Kournikova in a statement.

Kournikova's suit claimed the photos, of a topless bather misidentified as her, defamed her name and was an invasion of her privacy.

The suit demanded damages of over 10 million dollars but no details of the settlement were released by Kournikova, said ESPN.

Kournikova, known more for her blonde bombshell image rather than her ground strokes, collects about 13 million annually in endorsements.

Penthouse had previously settled with Judith Soltesz-Benetton who claimed the photos were of her. Terms of that settlement were also not disclosed.

Penthouse has a circulation of over one million and publisher Bob Gucchione said they planned to destroy 18,000 leftover copies of the controversial issue.

Williams sisters enter U.S. Open; Anna Kournikova out

Martina Hingis, the 1997 champion, Anna Kournikova and Tatiana Panova are the three players who withdrew. Hingis hasn't played in a WTA Tour event since October because of foot injuries and might never compete again but is still ranked 101st. Kournikova, ranked 77th, has been sidelined with a hurt back.

Serena Williams will be aiming to win her sixth title in seven majors. She beat 2000-01 U.S. Open champion Venus in last year's championship match at Flushing Meadows.

Other past major champions on the entry list announced Thursday include Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Conchita Martinez, Mary Pierce and Iva Majoli.

The men's entry list, released Wednesday, didn't include defending champion Pete Sampras. He has withdrawn from every tournament since he won his record 14th major title at last year's U.S. Open.

The seedings and draw will be announced during the week before the tournament, which begins Aug. 25.

Kournikova away till mid-August

The 22-year-old Russian player has informed organisers of WTA events scheduled for the next two weeks at Palo Alto and San Diego that she will not be taking up wild cards, her agent Phil Depicciotto said on Monday.

"She won't play the Canadian Open in Toronto (starting on August 11) but, if she's feeling better, may ask for a wild card into New Haven, which starts the week before the U.S. Open," he added.

The U.S. Open begins on August 25.

Kournikova has a chronic sprain of the lumbar spine, a condition which is inoperable.

"Anna is unable to play a consistent tour schedule with her back the way it is now and unless there is a marked improvement, her schedule will remain uncertain," said Depicciotto.

Kournikova is planning to get back on court this week, playing doubles and mixed doubles at a "World TeamTennis" exhibition event in Pennsylvania.

"After this week, she'll know a lot better how she feels," Depicciotto said. "But even if she feels better, she's not in good enough shape to play regular tour events yet."

Since injuring her back at the Australian Open in January, Kournikova has only played a handful of tournaments and last competed at a challenger tour event in Charlottesville in mid-May.

The Russian attempted to play a grass court tournament in England ahead of Wimbledon but aggravated her back injury in practice and was advised to take four-to-six weeks off.

Back injury sidelines Kournikova for Rogers AT&T Cup tennis event

"While we are disappointed that Anna's injury will prevent her from competing in our best field ever, we wish her the very best in her rehabilitation from injury," tournament director Stacey Allaster said. "Tennis fans around the world anticipate Anna's return to the Tour as she is an asset to our sport."

Kournikova has been sidelined since May with the injury.

"I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete in Toronto next month," Kournikova said in a statement. "The events in Canada are always world class and I appreciate the support I receive from the Canadian fans."

Even without Kournikova, this year's field remains a star-studded one. Nineteen of the world's top-20 ranked players are slated to compete.

The top four players in the world rankings headline the list of competitors for this year's tournament, which begins Aug. 9 at the National Tennis Centre. Wimbledon champion Serena Williams of the U.S., the world's top-ranked female player, tops the field, along with older sister, Venus, who is No. 4 in the rankings.

Also taking part will be Belgium's Kim Clijsters and French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the world, respectively.

Enrique Iglesias sells home to be with Anna

The heart-throb is getting rid of his A$18 million waterfront mansion so he and tennis ace Anna can move into another home he owns just up the road in the Sunset Island II resort in Miami, Florida. The Mediterranean-style place he's selling boasts seven bedrooms, and indoor pool and a private jetty. The singer stands to make a tidy profit off the sale - he paid just A$2.6 million the house in 2000, and has had it renovated since.

A pal says, "Enrique is a very astute businessman. With all those bedrooms and the private jetty, the house is one of the plushest in the area. Enrique has great taste and the place is stunning now that the builders have finished. He has been with Anna for some time so it made sense that they move in together." Her love life may be going well, but things are not as simple for Russian beauty Kournikova in the professional arena - she was ruled out of this month's Wimbledon tournament after an injury."

Kournikova to miss Wimbledon with back injury

The Russian star withdrew from the DFS Classic in Birmingham last week after aggravating the injury in practice.

Wimbledon officials confirmed on Monday that Kournikova will not be taking part in The Championships, which begins on June 23.

Kournikova, who has yet to win a tour title and has slipped to No. 77 in the world rankings, has only won one tour match this year because of leg and back problems.

The 22-year-old Kournikova's greatest moment in tennis came at Wimbledon in 1997 when she reached the semifinals in her debut at the All-England Club.

Kournikova withdraws from Wimbledon

The Wimbledon referee's office said Monday the Russian had notified the All England Club of her withdrawal on Friday. The tournament begins June 23.

A tearful Kournikova withdrew from the DFS Classic grass-court tournament in Birmingham last week after aggravating her injury in practice.

Kournikova, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 1997, has won only one of 10 matches this year on the WTA Tour and withdrawn from a series of tournaments with leg and back problems. She has slipped to No. 77 in the rankings.

Kournikova hasn't played in a tour-level tournament since retiring from her opening match at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C., on April 9.

On Monday, tournament officials announced Tommy Haas of Germany also withdrew. Haas, who had surgery on his right shoulder in December, missed the French Open and last week's Wimbledon tuneup in Halle, Germany.

Other players who have withdrawn from Wimbledon include former champion Goran Ivanisevic, Monica Seles and former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson.

Russian women on the rise on WTA Tour

Famous for her glamorous looks rather than her winning power -- she has never won a WTA tour singles title -- Kournikova was Russia's only top-10 representative when she hit a career high of eighth in the world in 2000.

But now there are three Russian women in the world's top 20, five more have made it into the top 40 and others are on the rise as tennis reaches new heights in a country where it was considered a bourgeois sport just over a decade ago.

Rarely a week goes by without one of Russia's legion of talented young women making a splash at a tournament somewhere.

Nadia Petrova was the latest to take the spotlight last week when she became the first Russian woman in 28 years to reach the French Open semi-finals.

The 20-year-old Muscovite knocked out two former world number ones, Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati, on her way to the last four.

The 18-year-old Vera Zvonareva also left her mark at Roland Garros by shocking third seed Venus Williams in the fourth round before bowing out to Petrova in the quarter-finals.

Zvonareva moved up one place to 20th in the WTA Tour rankings this week, while Petrova leapt 47 places to 29th.

DOMINANT FORCE

The results in Paris were no surprise to Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev.

"We have high hopes for many of our young female players," Tarpishchev told Reuters in an interview.

"I wasn't surprised by their achievements at all. We have so many good young girls on their way up at the moment that any one of them is capable of doing well, even in grand slams."

Tarpishchev had been predicting that Russia would be a dominant force in tennis long before he led his country as team captain to their first Davis Cup title last year.

"It's great that on the men's side we have players like (Marat) Safin and (Yevgeny) Kafelnikov, who paved the way for our Davis Cup victory, and also guys like (Mikhail) Youzhny and (Nikolay) Davydenko, who made an important contribution when we needed it.

"But after them there is a huge gap, whereas in the women's game we have enough players for two or even three teams, good enough to challenge for the Fed Cup title."

Certainly the days when the Russians had to rely primarily on the mood and physical condition of the U.S.-based Kournikova for their Fed Cup success have long gone.

"I think we're already among the top three or four teams in the world, maybe just behind the U.S. and Belgium," said Tarpishchev, who is also Russia's Fed Cup captain.

"Just give us a few more years and we'll be a dominant force, especially in the women's game," he said. "We always had a solid, scientific approach and good coaching, now we've added the infrastructure -- courts, training centres, etc., so it's just a matter of time before we reap the results of our labour."

NEXT STEP

Tarpishchev named both Petrova and Zvonareva along with Elena Bovina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Dinara Safina as the players to watch.

"If you're talking about Russian players who made themselves known on the Tour in the past 12 months, then these five certainly stand out," he said.

"All of them have done well recently. Now they have to make the next big step, which is winning a big one, a grand slam."

Tarpishchev said Russia's already established players Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva, respectively 10th and 15th in the rankings, were coming under pressure from the younger women.

"Unfortunately, our top two players, Dementieva and Myskina, have stalled a bit in their development at the moment," he said. "Both of them need to work harder on some technical aspects of their game, especially their serve."

"No doubt they're feeling the pressure from the next group of players. Then, there is another wave of even younger ones, still in junior ranks, who are very capable of achieving top results in the future."

Last year, Russians took two of the four junior grand slam titles with Vera Dushevina winning Wimbledon and Maria Kirilenko the U.S. Open, while Maria Sharapova reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon finals. Dushevina also made the French Open girls' final this year.

"Certainly, our tennis future looks bright," said Tarpishchev. "Winning a grand slam makes good players into great players. We're on the way for that big win, we're coming, it's all just a matter of time."

Injured Kournikova pulls out of two pre-Wimbledon events

The 22-year-old Russian had been due to play Madagascar's Dally Randriantefy in the first round in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Randriantefy now plays lucky loser Adriana Serra Zanetti of Italy.

Kournikova has been plagued with injuries over the past two seasons and has not played on the WTA Tour since April's Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, when she was forced to retire from her first-round match with a thigh strain.

Without a WTA title after spending more than seven years on the circuit, the Russian pin-up's off-court exploits have far overshadowed her tennis career.

Having reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1997 as a precocious 16-year-old talent, the Russian has since failed to deliver the goods on court.

Last month, she tried to rebuild her confidence on the lower ITF Women's Circuit tournaments following four first-round defeats in the five WTA tournaments she has played this year, but injuries once again hindered her progress.

Her world ranking, and confidence, have been on the slide since she reached a career-high eighth in May 2001.

Now ranked a lowly 77th, Kournikova is no longer considered a serious title contender on the WTA tour but remains the most photographed woman in sport.

Kournikova in tears after practice

Kournikova has been bothered by recurrent injuries and hasn't played a WTA Tour event in two months. It wasn't clear why she was crying, and she declined to comment.

``Anna Kournikova is not prepared to make any comment about any matter prior to her first-round match,'' WTA spokeswoman Sally Bradfield said.

Kournikova, a former Wimbledon semifinalist who has yet to win a title on the WTA Tour, sat on a chair in the clubhouse after a 45-minute session with American coach Harold Solomon. Tears were running down her cheeks.

Kournikova is scheduled to play Tuesday or Wednesday in the DFS Classic against Dally Randriantefy of Madagascar.

The Russian has won only one WTA Tour match this year and slipped to No. 79 in the rankings. She has pulled out of several tournaments, citing persistent thigh and back injuries.

She hasn't played in a tour-level tournament since retiring from her opening match in Charleston, S.C., on April 9.

Since then Kournikova entered lower-tier events in the United States. She lost to Bruna Colosio, a Brazilian ranked 384th, in the first round in Charlottesville, Va.

No top players were in action Monday. Russia's Elena Dementieva holds the No. 1 seeding. Jelena Dokic is not defending her title.

Other contenders include former champion Lisa Raymond and former Wimbledon semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson.

Martina Navratilova is playing doubles with Australia's Alicia Molik as she warms up for a bid to equal Billie-Jean King's record of 20 Wimbledon titles.

Russian claycourt duel takes centre stage

Zvonareva, 18, and Petrova - whose 21st birthday falls the day after Saturday's final - toppled American giants Venus Williams and former champion Jennifer Capriati to get to this stage and now they will be playing for national pride as well as a cheque for a guaranteed 200,000 euros for making it to the last four.

After an hors d'oeuvre which should whet the appetite the Centre Court crowd will sit back and watch world number one and top seed Serena Williams go up against French favourite and fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo.

Mauresmo's popularity in France knows no bounds - on Monday she received an accolade as the fans' favourite player.

If those two matches were not enough, the third and final Centre Court encounter pits Argentine seventh seed Guillermo Coria against 1999 men's champion and crowd pleaser Andre Agassi, the US second seed who appears indestructible even at the age of 33.

Agassi, the oldest player left in the event, meets the youngest in 21-year-old Coria.

On the Suzanne Lenglen Court, Belgian Kim Clijsters, the 2001 women's finalist, takes on Spanish veteran Conchita Martinez, seeded 24, before Belgian fourth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne duels with Chanda Rubin, the eighth seed from the United States.

Then Martin Verkerk, the new Dutch destroyer with his monster serves, meets 1998 Spanish champion Carlos Moya, the fourth seed.

Krajicek and Kournikova out of French Open

Krajicek, 31, is suffering from an elbow injury while Kournikova has an adductor problem and both will be replaced by lucky losers, organisers said on Monday.

The Dutchman won the Wimbledon title in 1996 but has not claimed a title in the past three years and is currently ranked 71st in the world.

Still searching for her first career title on the women's tour, Kournikova has this year suffered the worst slump of her career, dropping out of the world's top 50 as a result of poor form and injuries.

Kournikova plans double warm-up for Wimbledon

The Russian starlet, a former semi-finalist at the All England club, confirmed Monday that she would be playing in the DFS Classic tournament in Birmingham from June 9-15 as part of her preparation for Wimbledon.

Kournikova had already announced that she will be playing in the traditional warm-up event at Eastbourne the following week.

Still searching for her first career title on the women's tour, Kournikova has this year suffered the worst slump of her career, dropping out of the world's top 50 as a result of poor form and injuries.

She suffered her worst Grand Slam defeat in the second round of the Australian Open this year when she was thrashed 6-0, 6-1 by Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne and has been recently side-lined by a thigh injury.

Yet organisers of tennis tournaments around the world still see Kournikova, who will turn 22 two days before the start of the Birmingham event, as a major draw card.

"We are delighted that Anna has announced she intends to play at the Edgbaston Priory Club for the first time this year," DFS Classic tournament director Marjory Howie confirmed.

Kournikova's compatriot Elena Dementieva will be top seed for the tournament, won last year by Jelena Dokic.

Kournikova withdraws from Cloister Cup

Kournikova quit the tournament Saturday after a practice earlier in the day. The withdrawal advanced fellow Russian Maria Sharapova to the final, where she beat Australian Christina Wheeler 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday.

Kournikova was first injured April 9 at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C.

She struggled through her quarterfinal match against Sunitha Rao on Friday, which she won 6-3, 6-3. Kournikova's tightly wrapped thigh gave her problems throughout the match, and she was limping by the end.

The Cloister Cup was Kournikova's first event since she was first injured.

Kournikova plays through pain to reach semifinals at Cloister Cup tournament

Kournikova, playing her first competitive tournament since injuring her left abductor muscle April 9, defeated Sunitha Rao in the quarter-finals 6-3, 6-3. But Kournikova's thigh, tightly wrapped for the first time all week, gave her problems throughout the match.

"Today was definitely the worst day," said Kournikova, who will face compatriot Maria Sharapova in Saturday's semifinals. "It's not doing very well."

Playing her third match in three days, Kournikova was sluggish. She showed her frustration at times, slamming down her racket on one occasion, yelling in Russian in disgust on another. But when she needed to win points, she did.

Kournikova finished the first set with consecutive aces, then won the final three games of the second set to take the match.

The 16-year-old Sharapova rallied to beat Kristina Brandi, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Top-seeded Amy Frazier was eliminated, losing her quarter-final match to No. 7 Christina Wheeler of Australia, 6-1, 6-1.

In the other quarter-final, fourth-seeded Bethanie Mattek beat No. 8 Janet Lee 6-2 in the first set. Lee retired after the set with an undisclosed injury.

Sightings