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You may have forgotten about tennis celebrity Anna Kournikova, but the retired star celebrates her 31st birthday today. Kournikova took the tennis world by storm in the 1990s, gaining as much attention for her good looks as her tennis ability. But Kournikova's career is largely considered a disappointment. Once a highly-touted phenom, she failed to live up to her potential before ultimately finding her niche off the court.

Meticulously slicing a juicy red apple while gripping a knife with her long, slender fingers, Anna Kournikova smiles as she prepares to reveal her latest indulgence. The sexiest athlete in the history of women's sports is discussing what it's like, at 25, to be retired -- well, that's not what she calls it, because she hasn't ruled out a comeback -- and now she's flashing those perfect white teeth and preparing to devour the fruit of her labor. "I read like crazy," she says, becoming visibly excited. "Magazines, short stories, books -- especially when I'm on an airplane or the...

At the very beginning everybody in Russia loved Kournikova. The people loved Kournikova because she played beautifully and lived her life like real stars do. Then the whole lat fell out of love and started telling her off for hanging out at too many parties and winning no prizes after all those years on court. At the end of the day, Kournikova did as much as those who could pull it off in Roland Garros. She changed the image of Russia abroad. The world began to root for Russia by rooting for Kournikova – an achievement who should thank her...

Been here five years as of today. It's been great fun so far. Thought I'd post a vanity to give everyone an opportunity to mess with me in a centralized location for a change.

She is sensation personified. The Mirza girl called Sania is set to teach tennis to India. A living icon she has the youth of the country wowing her Indianness. Her being a Muslim adds substance to the matter. Carrying a basket of firsts she is the first sports Indian women to appear on Time, first female Indian to be ranked in the world 's top 40. She is again the first ever-Indian woman to reach the third round of Grand Slam and subsequently listed as one of the 10 people capable of changing the world by London's intellectual weekly New...

Happy birthday Anna. For all you do, this bud's for you.

Tennis beauty ANNA KOURNIKOVA has already composed her will - at the tender age of 23. The Russian stunner, girlfriend of pop hunk ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, has decided she wants everything divided up now - and she's also made an official decision on whether or not a family member will pull the plug on her, should she end up in a vegetative state. She says, "I think everybody should do that. It's really, really good. I think it's just something very important. "I like to have everything kind of in order. I'm a little too organised. I have every single paper...

Associated Press MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- A homeless man was charged with stalking and burglary after swimming nude across Biscayne Bay in search of tennis star Anna Kournikova's waterfront residence and getting caught near her neighbor's home. Police said William Lepeska screamed, "Anna! Save me!" as he was taken away Jan. 30. He is scheduled to make a court appearance Wednesday. Lepeska, 40, who sports an "Anna" tattoo on his right biceps, was found near the swimming pool of a house three doors from Kournikova's $5 million home.

CELEBRITY graft and presidential politics evidently don't mix. John Kerry's daughters Alexandra and Vanessa personally called organizers of the Style Villa in Miami to cancel their RSVPs for MTV Video Music Awards parties there this weekend. When Kerry campaign higher-ups heard that the Style Villa was offering free massages, watches and designer clothes to celebrities and VIPs in town for the VMAs, the Kerry cuties were told they should not accept free products or services until after the election. Anna Kournikova, Enrique Iglesias, Ashlee Simpson, Lennox Lewis and Ja Rule are among those still expected to stock up on swag....

MALE tennis fans were distraught to hear pin-up Anna Kournikova won't be playing at Wimbledon this year. But now they have three other reasons to tune in to the action at the All England club to see a trio of Russian babes waiting to take over Anna's crown as the top babe in tennis. But unlike Anna, below, whose looks are far more impressive than her results, these girls are real contenders for the title. Raven-haired Anastasia Myskina is sure to wow the crowds. The 23-year-old is the number two seed, second only to Serena Williams. But while her ability...

Nearly one in five British women would sacrifice a pay rise or promotion for a bikini body they they could show off on the beach, a survey claims. The survey shows how ambivalent women feel about wearing a bikini, as many of those interviewed said they found it as stressful as meeting their partner's parents for the first time. And 45 per cent said they thought their partners looked at foreign women on the beach because they have better bodies. The survey, carried out on behalf of Slim Fast, found that, while there were 19 per cent who would sacrifice...

Anna Kournikova was there at Mumbai and Bangalore when the desi footloosers tap danced to Enrique Iglesias's Latino pop. She was there on all lips more than the Enrique numbers and all were wondering whether Anna will make Enrique dance to her tunes. Anna Kournikova is no more the teenage tennis sensation she was. She is now the fashion icon who sneaked into a million hearts with those stunning looks and those eye-grabbing outfits. It's amusing just to think how a hard core Navratilova fan would watch today's women's tennis. From the pinnacle of grace and power during the Billie...

April 30, 2004--Think you've got the most handsome face in town? Gillette Complete Skincare and Anna Kournikova are looking for the most irresistible face in America. Gillette Complete Skincare today announced a nationwide search for the "Completely Irresistible Face." The contest offers men the chance to appear in an upcoming Gillette Complete Skincare commercial, along with a prize package worth more than $25,000. The contest is designed to promote Gillette Complete Skincare, a new line of premium products designed specifically for men. The nationwide search will begin with an open casting call hosted by Ms. Kournikova from noon to 2...

<p>Tennis star Anna Kournikova has filed a countersuit against her parents, who are suing her over ownership of a Miami Beach mansion.</p> <p>Sergei and Alla Kournikova, who are separated and may divorce, sued their daughter in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on April 15, seeking to have the house partitioned three ways.</p>

WASHINGTON: The buzz doing the rounds is that Enrique Iglesias is hooked to his tennis lover Anna Kournikova! According to a report in ratethemusic.com, the Russian blonde has been spotted flashing a $5.4-million diamond ring on her engagement finger as she strolled around Melbourne. The Latino hunk managed to splurge on the jewel, procured from the world's biggest mine in Argyle in Western Australia. "His relationship with Anna has been a bit of a rollercoaster but they've always come back to each other. Now Enrique appears to have decided he wants to stick with Anna for good. Giving an Argyle...

January 14 could have been a bad day for George Bush. As the president was preparing to announce America's return to the moon in a speech at the headquarters of Nasa, he was almost asked to deliver a very different message: that the Earth could suffer a devastating asteroid strike within 24 hours. Astronomers have revealed that during a "nine-hour crisis" the night before Mr Bush's speech they believed there was a one in four chance an asteroid would hit the planet in 36 hours. Had it not been for a break in the clouds that allowed an amateur astronomer...

<p>ANNA Kournikova was the odd girl out Tuesday night at South Beach's Astor Hotel. The tennis hottie - who has been with Enrique Iglesias for over a year - arrived with her former fiance, NHL hockey star Pavel Bure, and his new girlfriend. The three seemed to be the best of friends as they danced, but then Anna and Pavel's new girl got into a fight. "They were dancing, then swinging, then dancing again," a witness said. Hostilities ceased as quickly as they began.</p>

Much more of a success off the court than on it, Anna Kournikova might be making a permanent move to a life outside tennis. Kournikova, a 22-year-old Russian, told the London Evening Standard on Monday that she plans to quit tennis early next year and devote herself to becoming an actress and TV awards presenter. "Acting and presenting are definitely things I enjoy doing," Kournikova, who was in Monte Carlo hosting the World Music Awards, told the newspaper. "I'd love to appear in something like 'Sex and the City' or 'Friends.' I get offered lots of those sorts of jobs,...

NLY one forbidden Russian could pout her way into the hearts of middle-age men seeking a Kevin Spacey moment amid the "American Beauty" rose petals. Only one sassy diva would respond to a marriage proposal from a teenage fan panting among the Clearasil crowd by sneering, "You couldn't afford me." There is only one Anna Kournikova. As one of the first downloadable darlings of the Internet, as the savior of a once glam-challenged Tour, as the mystery blonde from Moscow, Anna will never be duplicated. To all the player agents who believe they've Got Next, to all the officials looking...

<p>Who said winning is everything? For Anna Kournikova, looking good is worth a lot more.</p> <p>Kournikova, the 22-year-old Russian-born tennis player who has never won a WTA tournament, plans to show a more intimate side by rolling out a new sports bra in the U.S. on Friday.</p>