Tennis Stars

7/29/2019 Tennis Stars

1/9

1/22/13 Photos: Sexy, swanky but not good enough on court - Rediff.com

www.rediff.com/sports/slide-show/slide-show-1-when-being -sexy-was-not-good-enough-kournikova-kirilenko-hantuchova-vaidisova-golovin/20130122.htm?pr 1/9

Print this article

Kournikova redefined the word 'sexy'Last updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Tennis is probably the only sport where thewomen's game is followed as much for theglamour as game itself.

Suzanne Lenglen, Anna Kournikova, Maria

Sharapova and many more such names have

been known for their glamour.

In some cases, the glamour took precedence and

the game got lost somewhere in the midst.

Rediff.com takes a look at a few such players

who redefined glamour in the sport but their

professional careers have hardly anything to write

about.

Anna Kournikova (Russia)

She gave the word 'sexy' a new definition.

Her gorgeous looks made her a celebrity even

before she had taken to court. Endorsements

followed. So did music videos and the

paraphernalia.

Tennis got lost somewhere in the midst.

Anna Kournikova reached just one major semi-

final (Wimbledon in 1997) and though she

reached a career-high ranking of No.8 in the year

2000, it was her inability to win even one WTA

singles title that made her famous (err...infamous)

on the court.

Chakvetadze failed to impress after a good startLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Anna Chakvetadze (Russia)

To give credit where it is due, Anna Chakvetadze was fairly consistent in the early part of her career.In 2007, at the age of only 20, she made it to the last four stage at the US Open, her lone Grand Slam semi-

final.

That year the Moscow-born player also won four of her eight career singles title, besides reaching a career-high

ranking of No. 5.

That was just about it as far as her career was concerned.And, mind you, she is still playing the sport!
http://ads.rediff.com/5c/insportsSS.rediff.com/sports-slideshows-print.htm/165329542/x02/default/empty.gif/323042796a56443947454141426e3742http://ads.rediff.com/5c/insportsSS.rediff.com/sports-slideshows-print.htm/165329542/x02/default/empty.gif/323042796a56443947454141426e3742


2/9



Problem of plenty for KirilenkoLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Maria Kirilenko (Russia)

Even as we write this, Maria Kirilenko hasbeen caught by officials at the ongoing

Australian Open for illegally wearing a visor

with two sponsor logos.

The problem with the glamorous Russian isthat she has sponsors aplenty, and it is

difficult to keep everyone happy.

The 25-year-old Russian has won five singles

titles and reached a career-high ranking of No.

12.

But it is her looks that have always taken

precedence over her game. Being selected as

the face of the Stella McCartney range by

Adidas is just a case in point.

In 2009 she appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

The babe from BratislavaLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia)


3/9



Daniela Hantuchova is often referred to asthe 'Babe from Bratislava'.

In 2009 she appeared in the Sports Illustrated

Swimsuit Edition, and also nude on magazine

covers.

Before you ask for more, let's tell you that she

has been playing tennis for more than a

decade and done precious little as a singles

player.To give credit where it is due, Hantuchova has

won all the four major titles in mixed doubles.

Vaidisova quit tennis due to 'lack of interest'Last updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic)

Her story is like that of Anna Chakvetadze's.Nicole Vaidisova won all her six singles finals in a two-year span from 2004-06. In August 2006, she became one

of the youngest players in the top 10.

Thereafter, her career went on a downward spiral even as she became the face of brands like Reebok and Citizenwatches.

In March 2010, she announced her retirement from sports citing a 'lack of interest'.

She was later involved with fellow-Czech player Radek Stepanek, whom she later married.


4/9



Dokic failed to be consistentLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Jelena Dokic (Australia)

In 1999, Jelena Dokic, then just 16, created history at Wimbledon by beating the then World No.1 Martina Hingis-- at No. 129 the lowest ranked player to beat the top seed at a major.

She attained a career-high ranking of No. 4 in August 2009 and won six singles titles as well.

However, she is better-known for her glamour and the controversies surrounding her than her tennis.


5/9



Tennis, swimsuit and the worksLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Tatiana Golovin (France)

Yet another player to have appeared in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Tatiana Golovin had apromising start to her career, winning the mixed doubles title (along with Richard Gasquet) at the French Open in

2004.

Her two singles titles came in Amelia Island and Portoroz in 2007 and in February 2008 she was ranked a career-

high No.12.

Golovin's career progressed at snail's pace thereafter and injuries forced to call it quits early.


6/9



Cirstea's career is yet to take offLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Sorana Cirstea (Romania)

She is one of the most-followed players on Twitter.In 2011, MSNrecognized Sorana Cirstea as one of the most beautiful women in sport.

However, when it comes to her singles career, suffice to say, the Romanian has done precious little.


7/9



Singles career has little to mentionLast updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Iveta Benesova (Czech Republic)

One of the most-followed players thanks to her glamour quotient, Iveta Benesova has been playing tennis for adecade-and-a-half now.

Her singles career has little to mention.

In mixed doubles, though, she did win Wimbledon in 2011 with future husband Jurgen Melzer.


8/9



Successful at 15, but...Last updated on: January 22, 2013 08:52 IST

Mirjana Lucic (Croatia)

At just 15, she partnered fellow-teen Martina Hingis to the women's doubles titles at the 1998 Australian Open.Deals with major brands followed.

However, 15 years on Mirjana Lucic is a forgotten entity .


9/9


www rediff com/sports/slide show/slide show 1 when being sexy was not good enough kournikova kirilenko hantuchova vaidisova golovin/20130122 htm?pr 9/9

Date post:	04-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	basrur1
View:	217 times
Download:	0 times

Tennis Stars

Documents