You are here:
AKFS Home >> Tennis >> Interviews >> 2007 >> "Legends of Tennis" in Chicago - Phone Interview with Sun Times 
Phone Interview for "Legends of Tennis"-charity exhibition in Chicago on February 12th
January 26, 2007

 

 

Anna started the Phone Interview because she called earlier as scheduled (1:15pm):

"Hi, this is Anna Kournikova."

"I'm so sorry I'm a little bit early. I hope you don't mind."

"I just want to let you know I have to make my next phone call in about 10 minutes, if you don't mind."

"Sorry about that."

Anna when informed about her exalted status she has enjoyed on these pages (Quick Hits) as one of the main attractions in recent years:

"Oh, wow. I'll check it out."

Have you ever been to Chicago?

"Yes, I have for a different number of reasons. I have but I really haven't explored the city that much. But I have been definitely to Chicago."

So why Chicago in the winter? Was Siberia already booked?

"Ha, ha, ha."

"Would you believe I've never been to Siberia actually. I love the cold weather and I'm coming for a good reason, so I'm really looking forward to playing there."

Any plans to shop or sightsee while in Chicago?

"Actually, not really. I just am flying in that morning and playing the match. And then we're leaving the next morning to go to Michigan for another event."

Do you follow pro football?:

"I'm not really like on a regular basis but I do know you guys are in the finals, right?"

The Chicago Bears against the Indianapolis Colts...

"Right. That's what I heard."

Sunday in Miami...

"I know. Tourist overload."

Will she be part of the party scene that engulfs the Super Bowl?

"I think I'm going to be here in Miami, but I'm definitely going to try to stay away from the South Beach because I can't imagine how crazy it's going to be."

Do you have any rooting interest in the game?

"Not really."

"No, but I mean I'm sure we'll watch it with my friends. I'm not like leaning one way or the other. I don't even know the rules, so..."

The Miami resident isn't going to the game?

"Oh, no, no."

Just stay at home?

"Oh, yeah. I'm a homebody. I rarely go to any functions."

"t's true, it's really true."

"If the paper lets me go to Florida," Quick Hits wondered, "can I come over and watch the game, or would Enrique {significant other/singer Enrique Iglesias} not like that, given our long-term {albeit one-sided} relationship?"

"You're probably going to have a boring time. It's probably just going to be four people or something, and that's all. And all girls."

Doesn't sound boring to me for some reason.

"Oh, OK, well. Ha, ha."

What's up with Enrique?

"What do you mean?"

Is he accompanying her to Chicago?

"No. He's actually working in the studio hard, finishing his album. He's got his own commitments and his own work."

How is your  tennis game these days?

"It's fine. I play occasionally now, and I'm really looking forward to this match. It's going to be a lot of fun with Jim and John and Jana. We've played a million times together already. It's always fun. I love playing with John in mixed doubles. I think we'll have a great time."

He doesnt yell at you, does he?

"We actually get along really good. We play off each other. And we understand each other. I think he's awesome."

What do you think of all this [russian players like Sharapova, Dementieva, Myskina who have followed in her footsteps]?

"I think it's great that the girls from that region, from Russia or Eastern Europe, are getting a chance to showcase their talent. Before in the early 90's, it was very hard to travel. You couldn't get out of the country. You didn't have enough money. And now, thank God, they can showcase their talent. Obviously, in general, they work very hard, so it's great for tennis. It's great that there's so many young girls and different personalities. I'm happy for the game of tennis. They work hard, and they're talented."

Might there be a comeback to playing on the women's tour? (Something along the lines on former doubles partner Martina Hingis)

"It's very hard to say. I only want to come back if I'm 100% physically fit. After playing tennis so many years and training professionally so many years, it's been very hard on my body. I'm just afraid that it's not going to hold up."

"But at the same time, who knows? I'm quite spontaneous. Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and be like 'Oh, maybe I will give it a try. Let's see how my body will do.' But realistically it's kind of hard."

Are you looking forward to meeting me (Elliott Harris, Sun Times Columnist) in person as much as I am to meeting you?

"Absolutely. You gonna come to the match?"

But, of course.

"Oh, awesome. Make sure you say hi and make yourself known. It's always good to put a face with a name."

OK, have a good weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Find out more at Anna's offical website:
www.kournikova.com