Anna Kournikova is a former two-time Australian Open women’s doubles champion in 1997 and 2002. She was a young phenom tennis player with the talent and beauty to be a cover girl for the sport. As a result, her popularity skyrocketed.
Injuries plagued her and ultimately shortened her career. She retired in May 2003 when she was 21 years old. Her greatest successes were in doubles where she won 16 titles. Kournikova was known for her stellar play at the net.
Near the end of her playing career, she began a high-profile romance with singer Enrique Iglesias. The pair are still together and have three children. Kournikova is now 43 years old and lives a quiet life outside of the public eye.
That is part of the reason a recent public sighting of her is newsworthy. Some have said she hasn’t been seen or photographed publicly for two years. The other reason is Kournikova was in a wheelchair.
Why Was Kournikova In A Wheelchair?
Given how private she is, no one knows for sure why Anna Kournikova is in a wheelchair. She is wearing an orthopedic boot on her right leg which likely is a contributing factor.
Update🚨 | wife of @enriqueiglesias Anna Kournikova was seen on the streets of Miami with her two daughters, and with her friends. She enjoyed a day of shopping at the Pal Harbor Shopping Center last weekend!😍💞
Anna suffers from an injury, the cause of which is unknown!❤️🩹🙏 pic.twitter.com/5nwGK47WG2
— Enrique Iglesias Arab Fans Club (@ArabEiFans) January 28, 2025
Many of the injuries that plagued her during her WTA career were to her left foot. In 2001, a stress fracture caused her to miss 12 tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon. Kournikova also dealt with back problems.
Following her retirement from the game, she occasionally played exhibitions. In 2010, she reunited with doubles partner Martina Hingis, whom she won the pair of Australian Opens with, to play in the 2010 Wimbledon Invitational Ladies Doubles Event.
#Backintime January 20, 1999: Anna and @mhingis of Switzerland play against Eva Melcharova of Czech Republic and Julie Pullin of Greet Britain at the Australian Open. 🎾😍❤ Kournikova/Hingis defeated Melicharova/Pullin 6-3, 6-2. 👏👏👏#annakournikova #martinahingis pic.twitter.com/KFvsRMDKjL
— Anna Kournikova Fans (@FanClub_Kourni) January 20, 2025
