Tennis legend Anna Kournikova sparks major concern in first public appearance in over two years

Tennis icon Anna Kournikova has sparked major health fears after she was spotted in a wheelchair. 

The 43-year-old retired tennis player, who reached a career high of World No. 8, has not been seen in two years. 

And Kournikova, who has been with her long-time partner Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias for over two decades, raised concerns among fans when she resurfaced in Miami over the weekend. 

The Russian, who retired from tennis in 2003, was spotted in a wheelchair at Bal Harbour, a luxurious shopping center in the Floridian city, on Saturday. 

Kournikova was pictured wearing an orthopedic boot on her foot, suggesting she recently suffered an injury. 

She was accompanied by her two daughters, Lucy, 7, and Mary, 4, who she shares with Grammy award winner Iglesias, as well as some friends. 

Kournikova was dressed down in an all-black sweat suit set and sunglasses, and wore her long blonde tresses scraped back into a messy bun. 

In one photo, Kournikova’s banged-up pinky finger could be seen wrapped in a pink band aid.  

Kournikova called it quits on her on-court career back in May 2003 after winning 16 career titles in the doubles game. 

She hit a career-high ranking of No. 1 in doubles after winning the Australian Open alongside partner Martina Hingis.

Kournikova enjoyed less success in the singles, failing to win a title. However, she did reach the semifinal of Wimbledon in 1997, becoming only the second woman in the open era to reach the semifinals on her debut at SW19. She lost to eventual champion Hingis. 

She was forced into an early retirement at just 21 years old following a series of injuries, mainly back problems.  

Kournikova also enjoyed the spotlight away from the court, garnering fame as a model. In 2002, she was voted the world’s sexiest woman, beating out the likes of Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, and was also acknowledged as the sexiest female tennis player of all time in 2010.

It was through her off-court endeavors that she met her now-partner. Kournikova and Iglesias, the son of Spanish singer and former soccer star Julio Iglesias, began dating in 2001 after she appeared in his music video for ‘Escape’.

They have welcomed three children together, including twins Lucy and Nicholas, as well as Mary. However, the greatest mystery surrounding their relationship is if the couple have tied the knot or not.

The ‘Bailando’ singer has previously insisted he wasn’t bothered about getting married but has also referred to Kournikova as ‘my wife.’

When questioned about referring to Anna as his ‘wife’ in 2012, he clarified: ‘It was just meant to be sweet in the moment. I honestly didn’t mean to confuse people. I thought it’d be easier for the audience to understand than if I said “my girl.”

‘I’ve never really thought marriage would make a difference. Maybe it’s because I come from divorced parents, but I don’t think you love someone more because of a piece of paper.

‘And nowadays, it’s not taboo to have kids and not be married. What makes a difference is that you’re a good parent, period.’

Meanwhile, Iglesias’s brother, Julio Jr, may have accidentally let their relationship status slip in a 2023 interview on Spanish program Y Ahora Sonsoles. 

‘My mother has seen me get married, my sister Chábeli get married, she has seen Ana get married… Enrique didn’t have a big wedding,’ he casually said, referring to his mom Isabel Preysler.

After stepping away from tennis, Kournikova has settled into family life with both she and Iglesias keeping a relatively low profile. 

While the former tennis star has kept her life out of the spotlight, the singer-songwriter has been more open about their family life. 

‘I’m relaxing at home with the kids, enjoying taking them to school and watching them grow,’ he said at the 2024 40 Music Awards.

‘I have twins that are six and a girl who is four, so every day they grow so fast.

‘I want to enjoy that. In 24 hours they’re already grown.’

The couple currently share a home in Miami, where they raise their three children.

Prior to becoming involved with Enrique, Anna was in a long-term relationship with professional ice hockey player Pavel Bure.