After such a long time away from Tennis, Anna Kournikova reveals the actual reason she walked away from Stardom

Anna Kournikova once captivated the world as a teenage tennis sensation, her name topping search engines and her face gracing magazine covers. Today, at 42, she leads a life far removed from the fame that engulfed her in the late 90s, embracing a quiet family life with her partner, singer Enrique Iglesias, and their three children.

Kournikova burst onto the tennis scene at just 14, a prodigy with immense promise. Despite never reaching a Grand Slam final in singles and only achieving a career-high ranking of eighth, her global recognition was unparalleled. Her charisma and talent, coupled with her partnership with Martina Hingis, earned them the nickname “the Spice Girls of tennis.” Together, they won the Australian Open twice and claimed the world No. 1 spot in doubles.

The pressures of early fame took their toll on Kournikova. “Being in the spotlight since I was a child was really hard,” she reflected. The constant scrutiny about her appearance and abilities caused significant anxiety on the court. Serious injuries, including debilitating back and spinal issues, forced her to retire prematurely from professional tennis at just 21.

Despite her early exit from tennis, Kournikova’s celebrity status remained intact. She appeared in the popular sitcom “Friends,” was named the world’s sexiest woman by FHM magazine in 2002, and continued to be a media darling. Her personal life also flourished; she met Iglesias on the set of his 2001 music video for “Escape,” and the couple has been inseparable since. They welcomed twins Nicholas and Lucy in 2017, followed by their daughter Mary in 2020.

Kournikova has largely retreated from the public eye, focusing on her family. She occasionally shares glimpses of her life on social media, where she continues to dazzle with her timeless beauty. Reflecting on her extraordinary journey, she remarked, “It’s really strange, it feels like it happened to me but it didn’t happen to me because it was such a long time ago. I played in every single continent by the time I was 16. It was an interesting way to grow up. When I stopped, most people had just come out of college and I was stopping the only thing I knew.”

Anna Kournikova’s story is a testament to the fleeting nature of fame and the enduring value of personal happiness. From a globally recognized sports star to a devoted mother and partner, her transformation underscores the complexities and rewards of living life on one’s own terms.