Anna Kournikova’s Popularity Spreads Due To Her Supermodel Looks
- Delilah Franceschini
- May 29, 2016
- 3 min read
Anna Kournikova is a former Russian tennis player who at one time, was one of the most recognized players worldwide due to her celeb status and personal appearance. She was born into a family of sports enthusiasts on June 7, 1981 (age 34) in Moscow. Her father is Sergei Kournikov, who is a former Greco-Roman wrestling champion and as of the year 2001, is a part-time martial arts instructor. Anna's mother was a former 400-metre runner and her younger brother is a youth golf world champion. Anna Kournikova's popularity spreads due to her supermodel looks but tennis was an active part of her life since she was a young child. She signed a management deal in 1991 at the age of ten and was on her way to America. It wasn't too long after that she became very well-known on the tennis scene. Anna found herself in the Top 20 rankings for the first time in the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) in 1998. She was ranked No. 16 at the Australian Open that same year and even though she didn't have much success in singles, she excelled in doubles tournaments.
Injuries Lead To Early Retirement, But Anna Kournikova's Popularity Remains
Still having issues with a fractured foot from an injury two years earlier, Anna collected her first grand slam match victory in two years at the Australian Open in the year 2003. The tennis player, whose name was on one of the most searched terms in Google in her prime, had to end her career prematurely because of recurring injuries. The worse injury that may have been the main reason for retirement was her spinal cord and back issues. She stopped competing in 2003 but didn't officially retire from the sport until 2007.
Anna Kournikova Commits To Bettering Lives Through Health & Wellness
Anna Kournikova's popularity peeks again after joining the television show "The Biggest Loser" in 2011 as a celebrity trainer. While she was only on the show for one season, she continued to make a difference by participating in charity tennis matches and travelling the world to educate people on how to fight against preventable diseases such as malnutrition. She is an Ambassador for PSI (Population Services International) in their Five and Alive / Youth AIDS programs. She spends a lot of her time giving interviews and spreading education about how to keep your energy high and your weight down. Anna Kournikova uses prepackaged, powdered supplements in a filtered water jug that she takes everywhere with her. "For energy during the day, I’ll have carbs," says Anna, who eats three meals and two snacks daily. "But at night, it's lean and green." One of Anna's dinners at night would consist of steak with spinach and asparagus or Brussels sprouts. Her favorite workout fuel includes Greek yogurt, hummus and salsa. She admits that you might find a sweet or two in her fridge but says that as long as you don't overeat and know your boundaries, indulging every once in awhile won't hurt you.
Anna Kournikova's Exercise Routine
Anna says that she craves exercising, sweating and stretching. While she says that exercise is definitely about health, she says it's also a good way to relieve stress which is good for your mental health. If you are one that gets bored on a treadmill, try this tip. Anna says that she simply plays music or even reads a magazine while walking it out. She says she gets the best energy by taking a day off in between 2-3 days of working out. Simple things like parking far away and taking a brisk walk to her destination or doing stomach squeezes while staying overnight in hotels can help drastically when her routine is offset by the routine of life. Some of her favorite exercises include the StairMaster, swimming, planks and yoga. Anna says "Exercise gives me great energy. It's about being healthy, having energy, [parents] spending quality time with children. Looking good is literally a bonus. It's not about a certain size. Everybody is different. As long as you're healthy, that's most important."
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