Anna Kournikova, once one of the brightest stars in tennis, has been spotted in public for the first time in two years—this time, in a wheelchair. Fans who followed her meteoric rise and early retirement are now left wondering: What happened to Anna Kournikova?
The former tennis sensation, now 43 years old, was recently seen with her longtime partner, Enrique Iglesias, and their daughters, Lucy and Mary. While the exact details of her current health condition remain unclear, it brings back memories of her career-ending injuries and the struggles she faced after leaving the sport she loved.
A Career Cut Short by Injury
For many, Anna Kournikova was more than just a tennis player. She was a global icon, a media darling, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her era. But despite her popularity, injuries plagued her professional career from a young age.
Looking back at her professional career, which ended in 2003, Kournikova endured repeated back injuries and stress fractures that forced her to walk away from the game at just 21 years old.
In an interview with The Guardian at the time, Kournikova reflected on her constant battle with injuries:
“Basically, I’ve had an injury nearly every single year… 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 basically didn’t play the whole year.”
Her then-agent, Phil de Picciotto, admitted that Kournikova’s career was in “a state of limbo”, as her back required extensive physiotherapy and rest. The root cause of her back pain was never definitively determined, with experts speculating that it could have been due to hereditary factors, overtraining, or sheer bad luck.
Life After Tennis: Rediscovering Herself
For an athlete who had spent her entire life training for competition, retiring at 21 was a devastating blow. In a 2011 interview with People, Kournikova opened up about the emotional toll of walking away from the sport:
“My back really forced me to stop. It got so bad; I couldn’t tie my shoes, literally. I would be in excruciating pain. I had been doing six to eight hours [of training] every day since I was five years old.”
After leaving the professional circuit, she faced an identity crisis, asking herself, “Who am I without tennis?” To cope, she took long walks, tried new activities, and leaned on her support system, which included Iglesias, whom she began dating in 2001.
Who is Anna Kournikova?
Born Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova on June 7, 1981, in Moscow, Russia, she remains one of the most recognized names in tennis, despite never winning a WTA singles title.
However, her doubles career was a different story—Kournikova reached the World No. 1 ranking in doubles, winning Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002 with partner Martina Hingis. The two dubbed themselves the “Spice Girls of Tennis”, and their chemistry on the court captivated fans worldwide.
Now, at 43, Kournikova leads a private life in Miami Beach, Florida, where she and Iglesias raise their three children. Although she has stayed out of the limelight in recent years, she has taken on occasional roles, including serving as a Global Ambassador for Population Services International’s “Five & Alive” program, which helps combat health crises affecting children under five.
Kournikova’s Family & Personal Life
Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias have been together for over two decades, a rarity in the world of celebrity relationships. The couple met in 2001 when Kournikova appeared in Iglesias’ music video for “Escape”. Since then, they have built a life together, welcoming twins Lucy and Nicholas in 2017 and their youngest daughter, Mary, in 2020.
Despite constant speculation about their marital status, the couple has never publicly confirmed whether they are officially married. However, their bond is undeniable, and Iglesias has been an anchor of support for Kournikova through her post-tennis struggles.
Net Worth & Financial Success
Even though her professional tennis career ended prematurely, Kournikova has maintained a strong financial standing. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $60 million.
Her wealth comes from endorsements, television appearances, and modeling, as well as past earnings from tennis. At the height of her fame, she was one of the most-searched female athletes on Google, proving that her popularity extended far beyond the sport.
Anna Kournikova’s journey is one of triumph, adversity, and resilience. From the tennis courts to family life in Miami, she has navigated fame, injury, and self-discovery with grace.
As fans, we can only hope that her recent health challenges are temporary setbacks, and we wish her all the best in the next phase of her life. Whatever comes next, Anna Kournikova will always be remembered as a trailblazer who changed the game—on and off the court.
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