Kournikova shines bright, even in retirement
Ex-Russian star now heavily involved in charities but still draws cheers
 | Tennis pinup queen Anna Kournikova is now goodwill ambassador who visits the troops, runs clinics and hobnobs with sponsors. |
Lawrence Jackson / AP |
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KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - Anna Kournikova is still the center of attention on center court.
Or, at least, on a makeshift one in a mall parking lot.
A tennis sensation from the time she was a teen, Kournikova spent more hours posing for photographs than she ever did raising tournament singles trophies.
Her playing career on the WTA Tour now finished, Kournikova is focused these days on getting fans to look at her work instead of her looks.
"I never thrived on attention," Kournikova said in an interview this week. "I never was in it for attention."
She has shed her tag as an overhyped athlete and made the transition to goodwill ambassador. She visits troops on USO tours and also has become a children's advocate through her work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and other charities.
Sizzling under the hot sun in suburban Philadelphia on Monday, Kournikova was holding a tennis clinic for a small group of lucky youngsters who were learning the basics of the game from a former Grand Slam doubles champion.
She then discussed her plans for visiting the troops in Iraq.
"With my name, I feel like I have a voice," Kournikova said. "Hopefully I can bring awareness and attention to the causes I'm involved with."
She appeared at ease as she showed about 20 kids night how to grip a racket and work on their drop shots. Kournikova wrapped her arms around a 7-year-old girl and helped guide the racket to the softer ball.
"Don't swing too hard," Kournikova laughed. "I know you have a lot of power."
She tussled one girl's hair, and playfully chided the youngsters for not wearing hats under the broiling sun. Kournikova crouched to get eye-level while she instructed the kids, who probably had no idea why she was so famous.
"A lot of them are 8 years old," she said. "They don't even know who I am."
She suggested a group hug during the team picture, and the kids started cheering her name.
"OK, I'm going to start crying," she said.
Moments later, Kournikova's walk toward a promotional appearance at the mall was nearly interrupted when a male fan got too close and security intervened.
She was whisked away to a meet-and-greet, then shuffled off to a VIP tent for more photos with sponsors.
Kournikova did everything but play tennis.
She was scheduled to play for the St. Louis Aces against the Philadelphia Freedoms in the summer league. But she will miss the season with a wrist injury, and wore a protective wrap on her left hand.
"It's ridiculous. I'm so bummed," she said between bites of a salad, green beans and carrots.
She also wore a large diamond ring on her left ring finger - the finger typically reserved for engagement rings. Kournikova, who has long been linked to singer Enrique Iglesias, declined to discuss the ring's significance.
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