Anna Kournikova was the World No.8 in 1999 (Image: Getty Images)
Former sensation Anna Kournikova has sparked concern among fans following recent images of herself in a wheelchair. Kournikova, 43, who was one of the sport’s biggest stars from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, was forced into retirement due to persistent injuries that hindered her performance on the court.
Despite hanging up her racquet in May 2003, she remained a pop culture icon, often seen alongside her singer-songwriter husband, Enrique Iglesias. However, the ex-tennis star has been out of the public eye for two years, choosing to step back from the limelight and focus on being a mother.
Her first public appearance in years has caused worry from sport and pop-culture fans, as she was seen being wheeled around in a wheelchair by friends and family. It’s currently unclear as to what has happened to the 1997 semi-finalist.
Kournikova was seen sporting a protective, walking boot on her right foot and a bandage on her right, little finger which may or may not be related to her foot injury. Accompanied by two of her children, Kournikova was holding her phone while sporting a black hoodie and tracksuit bottoms.
In 2010, seven years after her retirement from the sport, Kournikova competed in a ladies invitational doubles match at with Martina Hingis, who she won two doubles titles with in 1999 and 2002. It was there she also offered an insight into the constant media attention she received during her career, while speaking to .
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
She said: “The fame and everything, I guess most of it was created by you guys, by the media a lot of times, most of the time the yellow press. Never tried to pay attention. I mean, obviously it was a little hard times dealing with it being 16, 17 years old, reading some kind of crap about yourself, you know. Most of it was made up.
“But at the same time I understand why because I wasn’t giving a lot of information. My mom tried to keep me very protected, which a lot of times people didn’t really like her that much for that because she was trying to guard me in a way.”
Kournikova is spending less time in the limelight (Image: Getty)
Kournikova is no stranger to injuries, after finding herself sidelined from tennis on multiple occasions. In a 2003 interview, shortly after her retirement, she told : “In ’97 I had a stress fracture and was out for three months.
“In 98 I had a torn ligament in my thumb and was out for three months; in 99 I had another stress fracture for three months. In 2001 I didn’t basically play the whole year.”
She also shared with in 2011 constant back injuries proved to be the final straw in her decision to retire from the sport. Looking back on those painful moments, she added: “I never planned or thought that was going to be it.
“My back really forced me to stop. It got so bad; I couldn’t tie my shoes, literally. I would be in excruciating pain.”
Άννα Κουρνίκοβα: Ανησυχία για την πρώην σταρ του τένις, εθεάθη να κάνει βόλτα σε αναπηρικό καροτσάκι στο Μαϊάμι – Φωτογραφίες
— Protothema.gr (@protothema)
Kournikova and Iglesias are still believed to be together having been in a relationship for more than 20 years. Yet, the couple have never tied the knot, as Iglesias has famously never wanted to get married.
Yet, this did not stop them from having three children, something Kournikova always wanted. In a 2019 interview with , she made it clear that she was always going to become a mother, whether it was to her own children or ones she adopted.
She said: “I love being a mum. I absolutely wanted to have children, whether I had my own or adopted. I love taking care of people.
“Marriage isn’t important to me. I believe in being open and trusting each other and respecting each other completely. We’ve been together for years. He’s the male version of me, and I’m the female version of him.”