Anna Kournikova, the dazzling tennis sensation of the late '90s and early 2000s, became a household name beyond the sports world, featuring on magazine covers, in films, strutting down catwalks, and showcasing her skills at grand stages like Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Her fame skyrocketed to the point where she was among the most searched people on Google, captivating audiences with her star quality and earning the moniker "Spice Girls of tennis" alongside her doubles partner Martina Hingis. Yet, the question lingers – why did Kournikova step away from professional tennis at just 21 years old? Fast forward to today, at the age of 43, life for Kournikova has taken on a new chapter far from the lush greens of the tennis courts. Born into a sport-centric family in Moscow, Russia, in 1981—her father an academic in physical education and her mother a renowned 400-meter sprinter—the commitment to athletics runs deep. Her half-brother Allan has shown his athletic prowess in golf and is active in the sport. Kournikova was introduced to tennis at the young age of five and by eight was already competing in youth tournaments. Attracting attention due to her prodigious talent, she was signed by an agency at 10-years-old and moved to train at the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. She swiftly ascended the ranks in junior tennis and turned professional in 1995. Kournikova made a lasting impression when she advanced to the fourth round of the US Open in the following year and reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon at the tender age of 16. During her career, Kournikova achieved greater success in doubles than singles, reaching the top spot alongside Hingis and becoming a well-known figure in tennis and beyond. However, as the new millennium dawned, she began to struggle with injuries. A stress fracture in her left foot caused her to miss 12 tournaments, hindering her progress on the global stage. By 2001, she was ranked No. 74 in singles and No. 26 in doubles worldwide. Later, back and abductor problems further impacted her career, and by the end of 2003, she had fallen out of the world's top 300 tennis players. Regrettably, she was forced to retire that year, just eight years after turning professional. However, in 2010, she reunited with Hingis to compete in the Invitational Ladies' Doubles event at Wimbledon, marking her first competitive tennis match in seven years. Beyond tennis, Kournikova became a familiar face on magazine covers, including FHM and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2002, she was voted the world's sexiest woman, beating celebrities like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez. She also had a small role in the cult comedy classic Me, Myself and Irene in 2000, starring alongside Hollywood heavyweights Jim Carrey and Rene Zellweger. Kournikova also ventured into TV presenting, appearing on NBC's The Biggest Loser show as a celebrity trainer. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there were whispers of a romance between Kournikova and fellow Russian sports star Pavel Bure. Despite their high-profile status in Russia, they dismissed any rumours of an engagement. Before she hung up her tennis racket, Kournikova was making a splash in the mainstream media through various ventures. In 2001, she starred in the music video for Enrique Iglesias' hit 'Escape'. The chemistry on screen translated into real life, and the pair began dating. They remain together to this day and are now married. Despite being together for over two decades, they seldom discuss their relationship publicly. They share three children and lead a private life away from the public eye that characterised their early careers. Their twins, Nicholas and Lucy, were born in 2017, followed by their sister Mary in 2020. The family lives in Miami, Florida, and Kournikova maintains a discreet presence on social media, occasionally posting on Instagram. Sportskeeda estimates Kournikova's net worth to be around $50 million. Her earnings from tennis reportedly totalled about $3.5 million, but the bulk of her wealth stems from profitable sponsorship deals. In the early 2000s, she collaborated with brands such as Adidas, Omega, and Berlei, earning considerably more from these endorsements than from her tennis victories. She has also been actively engaged in charitable activities, participating in exhibition tennis matches to raise awareness for AIDS.