Tuesday November 24, 2009

Malaysian juniors spend inspiring 30 minutes with Anna Kournikova

Players from the Malaysian junior tennis squad had the opportunity to interact with former world junior champion Anna Kournikova during her visit to Malaysia recently.

Kournikova spent almost 30 minutes giving motivational tips and sharing her experience with the trainees.

“The only way for you to succeed at top-level tennis is by embracing the sport as a way of life, remain focused and make a lot of sacrifices.

“I started playing tennis at the age of five as it was part of the culture in Russia to play and be active in sports from young.

“Before I reached my teens, I had uprooted myself and was enrolled in a tennis academy (Nick Bollettieri school in Florida). So it became a part of my daily routine.

Rare opportunity: The national juniors with Kournikova (back row, centre) at the National Tennis Centre.

“Tennis has given me my life and I’m giving back to tennis by lending my name and support to various causes worldwide,” she said.

The 28-year-old Kournikova was in Kuala Lumpur as the event ambassador for The Showdown of Champions 2009, Asia versus Russia — The Glam Slam to held at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam on Dec 19 and 20.

The two days will feature Asian icons Sania Mirza and Zhang Jie together with World No. 5 Elena Dementieva and Maria Kirilenko of Russia in the challenge match billed as Asia versus Russia.

Kournikova is widely credited with the rise of Russian tennis. For years, it had been synonymous with Kournikova as the catalyst that brought back interest and glamour into the women’s game.

In 2002, only one Russian woman — Kournikova — was ranked among the World’s Top 30 players. By 2004, they constituted half of the Top 10 and had captured the most prestigious events in the sport.

Almost seven years after hanging up her racket, Kournikova confessed she missed the action.

“I miss the routine and the excitement of playing. I’ve been playing for the past 23 years of my life and there are moments when I miss the whole atmosphere.

“But, it’s a different life now and there’s so much out there for me to do and help contribute to society.

“I have reached a point where I can be very picky and choosy with what I want to do,” she said.

Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) president Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff thanked Kournikova for taking time off from her hectic schedule to interact with the players.

Malaysia’s top woman tennis player Jawairiah Noordin was elated to meet Kournikova.

“I think it was great to have the chance to meet a tennis player of her stature and pose questions,” said Jawairiah.