The Anna Kournikova Forever Site >> AKFS >> the lovely Anna Kournikova website

October 30, 2002
Anna back PRACTISING :-)) / Sydney 2003??
Anna is back practising (oh I was waiting for this kind of news SOOOO much) - read this article (scroll all the way down)! So obviously Anna is conducting some light practising I assume in Las Vegas (this could meant that she was in that casino last friday)! According to that article she was seen on courts near Valle Verde Drive & Horizon Ridge Parkway.
Those of you who live in Las Vegas will know where these streets are I think! Thanx for the info Mrs Endia Jefferson

Sydney 2003??: Well, an article has been published at foxsports. Well, it's dealing with the possibility for Anna either to gain enough points to directly qualify for the Adidas International (Cut-Off Ranking: 25) or to receive a wildcard. Well, since Adidas is the main sponsor Anna will definitely receive a wildcard for this tournament in Sydney (2nd week of January 2003)! Plus: There is a quote of an "official" guy who already talked about what Anna will be wearing at the Adidas International...

October 30, 2002
GIFT for 200000-hits / WIN german edition of Fitnessvideo
Well, I am a little bit disappointed that NOT MANY PEOPLE send me a feedback to win either 1 VIDEO of Anna FOR FREE or 2 original pictures. But anyway - thanx for those who sent me a feedback-mail.
Qualified: Bob Docking, Greg Taylor, Rick van Meter, Steffen O., Gonzalo Morago "Chinoko", Ross R., Sonia Simoes

I will now figure out WHO WINS THE PRIZE and I will keep you informed!

WIN german edition of Fitnessvideo: Many thanx to AB PRESSEBUERO in Munich (Germany) - I am able to offer you 3* Anna's Fitnessvideo "Basic Elements" on VHS-Tape (PAL System)! Take part in the contest

October 29, 2002
Anna committed to play Auckland / Vote for your Sanex "Hero of the Year"
Anna committed to play the season-starting tournament in Auckland (NZL) like she already did this year. Scan through the official Auckland-website and you will see it. Thanx for the info Bill

Vote for your Sanex "Hero of the Year": sanexwta.com and sanexheroes.net will award one player with the "Hero of the Year"-trophy during an oncourt event at the upcoming Sanex WTA Tour Championships. You can select YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER 2002 from a list of 25 players. The last round of this election has already started and currentlich Monica Seles is on top. ANNA??? She is currently ranked only 17th but with YOUR VOTES this will probably change. More Infos | Vote

October 28, 2002
Ranking News / Anna in Las Vegas with giant rock on ring finger / Anna spotted in Salt Lake City / AKFS MESSAGEBOARD back again
Unfortunately Anna's Singles Ranking dropped once again: Now she is just ranked 36th in Singles. Reason: She reached the Quarterfinal in Luxembourg last year...)! In Doubles Anna remains ranked 10th - she didn't play Doubles last year after Hingis injured herself in Filderstadt! In the "Porsche Race to the Championships"-Rankings Anna loses 1 spot in Singles - 35th with 969 points! In Doubles everything stays the same: 6th ranked with Martina Hingis (1241 points), 19th ranked with Chanda Rubin (475 points) and 76th ranked with Meghann Shaughnessy (163 points)!

Anna in Las Vegas with giant rock on ring finger: This was reported by the Las Vegas Review Journal (scroll down to "Sightings") yesterday:
Anna has been spotted in Light (Bellagio), a casino in Las Vegas obviously, together with co-owner Andrew Sasson and she reportedly was wearing a mega-size rectangular rock on her ring finger...ENGAGED WITH ENRIQUE!?!?!?! Furthermore a saudi prince wanted to send her a bottle of Crystal Rose (expensive luxury drink I assume) but Anna declined.

Well - the source's reliability can be questioned but personally I somehow believe most of it - at least that she was there. WHY? Well, you don't hear anything else anymore since about a month and this makes me sad!

Anna spotted in Salt Lake City: Reportedly Anna was spotted at Enrique's concert in Salt Lake City yesterday on Sunday, October 27, 2002!

No surprise but yet another indicator what Anna seems to prefer at the moment :-(((( Will we ever hear PRACTICE/TENNIS NEWS again????

AKFS MESSAGEBOARD back again: Some of you will recognize this although I made a few changes to categories and especially the several Forums! As of now you can access the AKFS MESSAGEBOARD from the top Flash-Navigation bar under "Interactive" -> "Forum"! REGISTRATION IS FREE of course!

HUGE RELAUNCH-SPECIAL: ALL MY REPORTS FROM MY TRIPS TO ANNA:
- Leipzig 2000
- Leipzig 2001
- Filderstadt 2001
- Strasbourg 2002
- Warsaw 2002

October 26, 2002
BILD about Calendar 03 & Fitnessvideo-analysis
Well done BILD :-(((((( - "Anna shows us her mussel" (next to THAT a picture of her 2003 calendar)...! more
Furthermore BILD also asked an expert about the benefits of Anna's "Basic Elements"-Fitnessvideo! More

October 25, 2002
Thoughts
For all those who don't like my personal comments don't continue reading:

I am frustrated - and I am sure MANY Anna-Fans feel the same when they think about Anna these days! She injured her left ankle (once again :-((( ) during Doubles in Moscow 23 days ago!!!!!!! And since then???? NO SINGLE PICTURE, NO REAL NEWS that she is practising or whatever - N O T H I N G!!!! Okay: She committed to play the 3-day-charity-event in Dublin (December 5-7, 2002) and we could read that she intends to play the Memphis-tournament next year (February 14-23, 2003)!

All I wish is a NEW picture of Anna (and please not from one of Enrique's after-show-parties or the EMA's next month :-(((( ) and/or news that she is back practising. OR at least: The current status of her injury!

Once again the bottom line:

ANNA, PLEASE INFORM YOUR FANS!!!!

October 23, 2002
2003 Tour schedule / Further to come
The Sanex WTA 2003 Tour Schedule will be published during the Championships in Los Angeles (November 4-10, 2002). Some new events will appear (Philadelphia at season's end) and some others (like Hamburg :-(((( ) will disappear.

I assume that Anna won't enter 25 tournaments next year like she did in 2002 - but you never know!

Further to come: I know that I am NOT updating this website SOOO often as I used to but don't worry - I AM WORKING! On what??

1) Format-works on "Kourni World"-.htms (just finished, Upload upcoming weekend)

2) Messageboard (Upload upcoming weekend)

3) big "Anna 2002"-Special (Oncourt- & Offcourt-summary plus world map)

October 22, 2002
Frank Riley about Anna in 2002 / Anna & Enrique after Las Vegas-show
Interested in a fan's point of view of Anna in 2002 - oncourt and offcourt??? Go ahead and read Frank Riley's "A Fans view of Anna's year" at megakournikova.com! Ok, quite long to read but I think it is really worth it!

Nice Frank: He even gave her a stuffed puppy dog in Stanford as a late birthday-present - very nice Frank. Why am I simply too shy to talk to Anna? :-(((((

And don't forget: I will also come up with MY PERSONAL 2002-SUMMARY ABOUT ANNA during the November I think (german and english plus ALL locations where Anna was etc.) :-)

Anna & Enrique after Las Vegas-show: As expected - Anna reportedly made party with Enrique after his show in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 19, 2002. Both have been spotted in a skybox (whatever this is!?!?!?) at Rain, the Palms Nightclub!

Well, after Anna's appearance at the VMA with Enrique in late August I believe this and expected similar reports days ago :-((( I am also convinced that we will see Anna at the Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Barcelona on November 14, 2002 - for sure in a similar sexy outfit :-((((

October 21, 2002
Ranking News
No changes at all: Anna is still ranked 34th in Singles (1015 points) and 10th in Doubles (1992 points)! Anna's Ranking didn't change and she can only get passed by players like Bedanova because there is 1 tournament week left this week - Linz and Luxembourg! In the "Porsche Race to the Championships"-Rankings Anna remains ranked 34th in Singles (969 points) and in Doubles she's still ranked 6th with Martina Hingis (1241 points (both would be qualified for the season-ending Championships in L.A. but due to Anna's injury and Martina's break :-(((( )) and ranked 19th with Chanda Rubin (475 points)!

October 20, 2002
no news :-(((( / Anna as a wax figure
Does anybody have Infos about Anna RIGHT NOW???? The WTA season is almost over but Anna's season is already over since 2 1/2 weeks since she get injured (torn ligament in left ankle) in Moscow :-(((
Since then NOTHING happened - no new pictures, no words/comment from Anna in her journal, N O T H I N G! The only things that happened were the commitments to play Memphis (February 14-23, 2003) and an exhibition in Dublin (December 5-7, 2002).
I really hope that Anna decides to play a few more exhibitions in Europe - she is in Dublin anyway in the beginning of December so it is possible that she perhaps plays a few exhibitions like back in 1998 (Cologne on November 30 and Geneva on December 1) and 1999 (Geneva again)!

ANNA, PLEASE WRITE A FEW LINES TO YOUR FANS - please let us know what's the status of your injury, how your 2003 schedule will look like and other important news.

DON'T FORGET US BECAUSE WE ALSO DON'T FORGET YOU :-))))

Anna as a wax figure: Russian artist Oleg Kulik (never heard this name before) installed the wax figure of the Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova at his new exhibition project in Moscow, October 19, 2002. more

This picture is just ridiculous - who really recognises Anna?!?!?!?!

October 17, 2002
Anna at Dublin in early December: Exhibition and more / Update on current works
More and more Exhibitions for Anna during the off-season as it seems: Anna now committed to play at a special Exhibition in Dublin (Ireland) from December 5-7, 2002! This is kind of a special one: Team EUROPE (with Anna, Majoli, Dokic, Schett, Hantuchova) vs Team USA (Williams-sisters, Seles, Raymond,...) and the inaugural schedule is as follows:

5.12.: (2 Singles matches) with ANNA vs SELES
6.12.: (2 Doubles matches) Anna not scheduled
7.12.: (3 Singles matches) Anna not scheduled

Beside this "Ryder Cup"-like Exhibition tournament Anna will also be on the catwalk, together with rising star Daniela Hantuchova! The whole event will take place at the Royal Dublin Society Show Grounds.

Not so good news for those who want to attend this exhibition: According to ticketmaster-Homepage the general rules are: "No cameras, video cameras or recording devices" plus the tickets are incredibly expensive obviously:
5. & 6.12.: 102 Euros (good seats) / 81 Euros (bad seats)
7.12.: 107,50 Euros (good seats) / 86 Euros (bad seats)
Incredible if this is true: This would be even more expensive than Filderstadt where I was last week!!!!!! More infos at timesonline.co.uk

Personally I am really looking forward especially to THIS event. Hopefully Eurosport will broadcast at least a summary of this event! I am also excited if Anna enters some exhibitions in November but we also have to keep in mind that she suffered a torn ligament just 2 weeks ago!

Update on current works: Just to give you a short update on what I am currently working on and what I am planning to do in the upcoming weeks here on the Anna Kournikova Forever Site (sorted by status of work progress):

1) Working on the TOUR GALLERY- and KOURNI WORLD-.htms - format works (CSS) to make these .htms look more the same.

2) working on the "Anna 2002"-Special (first in german, english version probably later)

3) thinking about reestablishing the old Messageboard/Forum (although it wasn't very crowded a few months ago)

4) world map with an overview where Anna was at a specific time this year

October 16, 2002
Anna to play Memphis in February 2003
I am quite surprised - Anna will play at the Kroger St. Jude Tennis Championships (February 14-23, 2003) at the Racquet Club of Memphis. This is what she recently announced. Website | Report

Well - so the "usual" schedule for the beginning of the year will be a modified one in 2003 as it looks like. I assume:

1) Auckland
2) Sydney
3) Australian Open
4) Tokyo
5) Memphis
6) Acapulco (likely because of sponsor Pegasus)
...

So this will mean that she won't play neither Paris nor other European Indoors Events like she did this year. I think that this is in general a good approach and I trust in Harold - he and Anna will work out a smart schedule for 2003! GO ANNA!

October 15, 2002
Trip to Glory... / Rittner-interview / Anna or Elena? / Filderstadt-report for Friday, October 11, 2002
I have made an update to the "Trip to Glory..."-Section: Anna at charity events! Take a look at Anna in Cologne 1998, Geneva 1998 & 1999 as well as in Wimbledon 2000 (Buckingham Palace) - just to give you a few examples of Anna's charity work. Enjoy Pictures and Audio Files and buy matches on Videotape!

Rittner-interview: Barbara Rittner was interviewed and this was mainly about the "Sex-appeal" of the whole WTA. Most questions dealed about Anna (what a surprise). More

Anna or Elena?: Join a discussion which is ongoing at the wtaworld.com-board - Will Dementieva win a title before Anna???

In my opinion it is RIGHT NOW hard to predict but generally Anna has much more talent than Elena (in my opinion). But with all these injuries who knows what happens in the future. If Anna can stay TOTALLY healthy for at least a couple of months (I pray for that) then I think a tournament title at a Tier III or even Tier II-tournament is possible quite soon!

Filderstadt-report for Friday, October 11, 2002: My full report about my Filderstadt-trip on Friday, October 11, 2002 - read it!

October 14, 2002
Ranking News
Anna's Ranking positions cannot get better anymore as we all know - horrible reality is that she is injured again (partial tear of anterior ligament in left ankle - suffered on October 2 during Moscow's Doubles Quarterfinal). Therefore Anna's Singles Ranking got worse by 1 spot - now she is ranked 34th with 1015 points (she lost in Round 1 last year in Filderstadt)! In Doubles Anna is still in the Top 10 but lost one position as well - 10th with 1992 points (she reached semis in Filderstadt last year with Martina but after Hingis' foot injury both had to withdraw)! In the "Porsche Race to the Championships"-Rankings Anna is ranked 33th in Singles (969 points) which in my opinion reflects her mediocre performance throughout the year (she never had more 1st Round-defeats in any year :-((( )! In Doubles Anna is still ranked 6th with Martina (1241 points) and nothing changed with Chanda Rubin and Meghann Shaughnessy.
But: Anna won't play at the season-ending Championships in Los Angeles. First of all she is injured and secondly Martina decided to take a longer break from Tennis.

I am really hoping that we will soon get an update on Anna's current injury status. A new Journal-entry or anything like that would be nice as well, Anna!

October 12, 2002
sorry - was in Filderstadt yesterday / good report / no more Martina??? / Anna to quit tennis?
Yesterday morning I spontaneously decided to drive to Filderstadt once again - it wasn't a cheap trip (ticket 64 Euros!!!) but I did see Dementieva-Casanova, Hantuchova-Stevenson as well as an autograph session from Dementieva and short training sessions of Jelena Dokic and Daniela Hantuchova! I am still a bit tired but as soon as I have put my report together I will let you know.
Once again: Guess, who I did miss the most?? ANNA, of course :-((((((((((

good report: Finally a good report once again - "Not just another pretty face" shows Anna, the "Underachiever" but not her income vs her oncourt winless streak is the main topic but the whole development of Anna throughout the year. 2001 is a key year in this report - the year when she was out of the tennis circuit but not out of the media...

no more Martina???: This makes me sad - Martina Hingis takes a break from professional tennis :-((( "I will not play any more tournaments this year. I need to free my mind," she said on Friday...Hingis must rest her body and she said the decision whether or not to return to professional tennis would depend on her doctor's advice - "I'm in close contact with the doctor and I will make my decision on the basis of his suggestions." Read more

This is just said because I like Martina a lot and she is Anna's Double Partner as well - this means (for Anna) - NO WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DOUBLES FOR ANNA THIS YEAR (currently seeded 6th with Martina...)! Now this possibility of Anna playing again this year is gone as well :-((((
But this case is more seriously: Will Martina retire from Tennis??? I definitely hope that this won't happen - she is just 22 years old!

Anna to quit tennis?: This is from german Videotext (Pro7, 437) and I heard that Anna wants to quit tennis and focus a career as a movie star.

There is no quote in it and just a stupid note of someone who obviously doesn't know anything about Anna!

October 10, 2002 (II)
upcoming events / Anna eats Enrique's steak?
We already know that Anna won't return to the WTA Tour in the current season (2 regular tournament-weeks left (Zurich, Luxembourg))! But: Anna will return to action in December for (at least) 2 exhibitions:

14.12.2002, Minnesota (USA)
15.12.2002, Winnipeg (CAN)

I am wondering if Anna is planning to plan far away from home like she did in recent years, remember:

1998: Exhibitions in Cologne on November 30 (GER) and Geneva (SUI) on December 1
1999: Exhibition in Geneva (SUI) on December 1
2000: Exhibition in Baltimore (USA) on November 22, Sao Paulo (BRA) on November 25, Santiago de Chile (CHI) on November 27, Guayaquil (ECU) on December 2
2001: MTN Challenge in South Africa (Durban, Stellenbosch, Johannesbourg) from November 9-11, Exhibition in Denver (USA) on November 29, Exhibition in Tampa (USA) on December 14, Exhibition in Detroit (USA) on December 15

So I really think that despite Anna injured her ligaments in her left ankle again we will see her in more than the previous mentioned 2 December-exhibitions during the off-season. Time will tell!

Anna eats Enrique's steak?: Just read this latest gossip if you like (I assume that it's not true) and have a big laugh (I don't comment this kind of stuff - at least not today because I am not in the mood):
"Globe magazine reports Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias were all over each other in a booth at Morton's restaurant during a recent visit to Toronto. That changed though when their food arrived. Anna instantly began devouring her massive porterhouse steak, afterwards she started eating Enrique's T-bone steak. Anna told the Latin crooner, "Most of my ex-boyfriends eat more than me and you eat like a bird. That's why we are so good together."

October 10, 2002
FILDERSTADT maybe again / Complaint :-((
Today I am thinking of driving to Filderstadt once again - I am not quite sure but if you don't see any updates at my website until friday morning (CET) than you know that I did decide to go!

Complaint :-((: Today I received a notice from a guy from the official messageboard! I KNOW that i copy and paste A LOT of the reports guys are posting there which they found all over the web. In the future I promise that I don't want to copy and paste PERSONAL OPINIONS from board-members here on my website anymore! I will just refer to FACTS, not opinions by Individuals. Sorry that I have done this in the past and I apologize if this caused any inconvenience for you!

October 8, 2002 (II)
FILDERSTADT-report / positive report / season defnitely over / "Life without Anna" / Shannon Elizabeth says Enrique is shy
As I told previously told you I will post the link to the FULL REPORT from FILDERSTADT YESTERDAY - here you have it! Enjoy (if this is possible without Anna in it :-((( )!

positive report: Hey is this possible?? After months of negative reports which were just bashing Anna and the neverending talks about the still missing Singles Title a positive report about Anna and her accomplishments ON COURT has been released. Read at knoxnews.com

season definitely over: This was posted on the Swisscom Challenge-website (Zurich) - "On the other hand, as expected, Anna Kournikova will have to sit out of this year's tournament. Additional tests have confirmed the diagnosis in Moscow (left ankle sprain, torn ligament)."
Anna won't be back playing Luxembourg as well, from wort.lu (sports section): "Anna Kournikova withdraws from Seat Open.
The Russian calls her participation off in the Seat Open because of a volume injury that tightened itself during the Moscow Open. The Seat Open will take place without Anna Kournikova this year. The Russian called her tournament participation off because of a ligament tear, which she tightened herself (i guess we can take they're talking about her left ankle sprain) in Moscow.
Anna Kournikova is very dissapointed about not being able to play neither in Luxembourg nor in Zurich, a report from her management says. The Russian who still hasn't won a WTA singles tournament title and is 33# in the rankings was showing a rising form lately, only losing the Shangai final to Anna Smashnova from Israel recently."

So the season is over for Anna - it will still a few days until I really realize this :-((((

"Life without Anna": This was publised in today's Detroit News - "Life without Anna" - Sergej talks about his former relationship with Anna Kournikova and how it influenced his life. Quote: "All I'll say is that we're not seeing each other anymore. I'll always support her in her career and her life. I'll always be there for her. But that's all I can really say."

Shannon Elizabeth says Enrique is shy: Shannon Elizabeth (well-known from "American Pie") apparently shot a video together with Enrique and in an interview with Carson Daly she had this to say about him and also mentioned Anna!

October 8, 2002
I WAS IN FILDERSTADT
I know I did say that I wouldn't go but between 2:00-3:00pm yesterday I decided to get into my car and drive to Filderstadt...! ANNA IS NOT THERE SO WHY??? - 3 reasons: 1) I had a ticket for monday anyway (I did order it last monday BEFORE Anna suffered the injury); 2) I am on leave anyway (because I was looking forward to see ANNA live...); 3) Bedanova vs Hantuchova was the 7pm-match on monday and I said it before that in my opinion Bedanova is kind of sexy! These were the 3 reasons for me to go to Filderstadt for a few hours on monday!
Now I just came back and I am copying what I've recorded to VHS Tape and as soon as possible I will write my trip-report and post it on the official messageboard! THE COUCH is the right forum I guess. I will give you the link as soon as I am done!
short first notes: I saw the Doubles match Clijsters/Rubin vs Henin/Mauresmo (great Tennis), a little bit of Dementieva's training session (just a few minutes), Bedanova vs Hantuchova (Hantuchova was simply too good for Daja and both are amazingly thin and in my opinion Daniela is too thin already, looks almost sick to me) and Schnyder vs Smashnova, first set (interesting to see Anna's Shanghai final opponent LIVE, she really plays well and Patty often was frustrated because of her unforced errors)! More to come!

October 7, 2002
Filderstadt-sadness :-((( / Ranking News
Well, I am sad, very sad! TODAY is the start of Filderstadt, I did buy a ticket which I just have to pick up at the entrance - but Anna isn't there. Perhaps I still will decide to go there today but generally I doubt this. Was this injury necessary last wednesday??? What a HUGE amount of bad luck :-(((

A few minutes are gone - 1:54pm CET - I made up my mind once again and decided NOT to drive to Filderstadt, neither today nor tomorrow nor any day this week. I think I would be even more frustrated if I would be there LIVE opposed to staying at home and just trying to not to think about this lost opportunity to see Anna LIVE again :-(((( This week will be very painful for me!

Ranking News: Anna improved her Ranking to 33 this week (her best Singles Ranking so far in 2002!!!). The reason is obvious for her Singles-Improvement (Victory vs Mikaelian) but the reason is obvious as well for her Doubles-Downfall: Anna's Doubles Ranking dropped to 9 because she was forced to retire in the 2nd Round (Quarterfinal) and last year she WON the Doubles competition together with Martina Hingis! In the "Porsche Race to the Championships"-Rankings Anna is still 33th ranked in Singles (969 points) but she is now 3 times in the Top100 of the Doubles Team-Rankings: 6th ranked with Martina Hingis (1241 points), 18th ranked with Chanda Rubin (475 points) and 73th ranked with Meghann Shaughnessy (163 points)!

October 6, 2002
Anna back for December-exhibition / Poll-results
There is an exhibition coming up on December 15 in Winnipeg (CAN) and Anna will be ready for this despite her ankle injury she suffered on wednesday during Doubles in Moscow (RUS)!
On late Thursday afternoon Kournikova's management called Hartley Miller (exhibition's Co-Promoter) to confirm Anna's participance in this event.
This is what Anna had to say: "I'm excited to have this opportunity to play an exhibition match in Winnipeg against Monica," Kournikova said in a release that her agent forwarded to The Sun yesterday. "I've been to Canada before to compete in tour events, but this will be the first time for me in Winnipeg. I'm looking forward to playing there and I hope everyone will have the chance to come out and enjoy the tennis." report

Well, at least it doesn't seem to be SUCH a huge injury like she suffered last year but overall this is very sad (especially for me....FILDERSTADT....)!

Poll-results: This is the outcome of the last poll -

1 Semifinal could have been expected I think but who would have thought that she might get injured again - and again in her left foot????! I didn't and so I simply had to close this poll.
Related to her actual injury - see the NEW POLL at the left side!

October 4, 2002
sanexwta.com-report / she could have said this NOW... / BILD-report
The official website of the Sanex WTA Tour comes up with this info about Anna's horrible injury: "partial tear of the anterior talo-fibular ligament. It's not known if Kournikova will be able to return to action this year." full report

Of course, I am still deeply frustrated (next week I have leave....WHY??? Anna won't be able to play in Filderstadt :-(((( ) and honestly: I still cannot really believe that this injury really happened to Anna!

She could have said this NOW...: Original quote from Anna at Eurosport's Special at the end of last year: "I'm trying to get my rhythm back and you know, taking the end of this year as preparation for the next year and looking forward to the next year and starting really strong and getting back into the shape and into position and the level of my game where it was before my injury so hopefully..." - she could say this NOW again :-((( DAMN INJURIES

BILD-report: Europe's biggest daily newspaper also features the news of Anna's torn ligament and they definitely state that SEASON IS OVER for Anna...! Report!
As far as I know nothing has been officially said yet if she will miss the rest of 2002 or not! But I think we all expect this :-(((((((

October 3, 2002 (IV)
2002 OVER for Anna, I think / Anna & her body / What NOW??? / Moscow-video
According to numerous reports (see recent news from today as well as sport1) and Thread-posts at the official messageboard I came to the following conclusion:

Within hours my mind changed - of course I am still deeply frustrated that I won't see Anna LIVE in Filderstadt next week but I am even more worried about Anna's possible future! As "the_cat_in_the_hat" has pointed out in the above mentioned Messaboard-Thread, Anna had major foot injuries in EVERY year since 1997!!!!! I can only repeat the most frustrating question he asked at the beginning:
"If Anna continues to have all of these foot and ankle injuries, how much longer will she play?"

I guess he's right and that's really SO MUCH frustrating that I will realize what it really means I guess in a few days and not earlier! I really wouldn't know what to think, how to react, what to do if in the near future Anna HAS TO COMPLETELY RETIRE DUE TO NEVERENDING FOOT/ANKLE INJURIES...!
I know I am painting in black once again but it is a fact that the string of injuries just doesn't stop!!!!!!!!

Anna & her body: Remember Anna at Montreal a few weeks ago. She exactly said this - "now I'm not, maybe, as healthy. My body is not as...you know, it's not holding up as well as before. I'm starting to feel things a little more"...

So Anna is WELL AWARE of the impact that ALL the major injuries had on her health. Everything started back in Eastbourne 1998 with the thumb injury - Anna has never been the same since :-(((((

What now???: Well, according to the reports and the official website, Anna will undergo further examinations during the next few days and then we will probably get more infos how serious this injury is. I also expect that by tomorrow or saturday Filderstadt will announce Anna's withdrawal due to Injury :-(((((

Moscow-video: Stefan put a mpeg from Moscow on his awesome Mpeg site.

October 3, 2002 (III)
ANNA HAS WITHDRAWN :-(((( - MISSES REST OF 02??? / Moscow-video
Initially I didn't even think about the WORST CASE (Anna to miss the rest of the season) but I read OCT_1's post and he mentioned it, then I started thinking about it and was depressed and NOW...just read this!
Summary: X-Ray has been taken this morning and it shows that Anna suffered a partial tear of the anterior ligament in her left ankle! WTA officials said that Anna will

PROBABLY MISS THE REST OF THE SEASON

and she'll be evaluated in the next few days to find out the extent of the injury!
An report on excite says that "tests done on thursday morning showed a partial tear of the fibular ligament" - I don't know if the ANTERIOR and the FIBULAR ligament are one and the same but in any case it is just depressing :-(((
This ligament in her left ankle...remember Berlin, 10.05.2000 - these horrible picture at the end of 3rd set vs Gala Leon Garcia...! It probably was even the same ligament - HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T REQUIRE SURGERY AGAIN!! In this case I would be really frustrated and even more worried!

What does this mean??
GOODBYE FILDERSTADT, GOODBYE ANNA and get well soon! That's all I can say by now. I knew that this news would come up as soon as I heard of the Singles-withdrawal late this morning! I could cry and I have to when I think about WHAT wonderful moments I will miss now next week - ANNA LIVE, what more do I have to say??? And now: A big nothing and even more - I am seriously worried, once again, about Anna's health and just hope and pray!

CNN-Text: "Kournikova to miss rest of the year" & news24.com-report "Kournikova out for 2002" (may be down temporaly) - does this sum up the WORST-CASE SCENARIO which we could think of??? I think so :-(((

Moscow-video: Stefan put a mpeg from Moscow on his awesome Mpeg site.

October 3, 2002 (II)
ANNA HAS WITHDRAWN :-(((( / Moscow-pictures
This you can read on the official website of the Kremlin Cup:
"Following a second medical check-up conducted this morning, Anna Kournikova withdrew from Kremlin Cup singles, representatives of Sanex WTA Tour announced at the Kremlin Cup press-center.
Let us remind that on the eve, Kournikova, who was playing doubles with the American Meghann Shaugnessy, was forced to pull-out of the match against the pair Dokic-Petrova because of a left ankle sprain."

:-(((((((((((( So the injury seems AT LEAST be too serious that she could play today...what does that mean for ME and for FILDERSTADT NEXT WEEK??? This is not fair - I could cry. Get well SOOON Anna, please!!!
But I fear that I will hear "she flew back to the States" in a few hours and all hopes are gone :-(((

Moscow-pictures: Anna still wears the same outfit (blue-white) like in Shanghai and I don't think this will change anymore in 2002! Way to see the pictures from the Kremlin Cup: Official messageboard / Members Photos
> "Kremlin Cup October 2002"-Thread
Picture from red square, October 2nd - sanexwta.com > Photo Gallery (takes a while to load, picture quite on top)

October 3, 2002
Anna played at red square / Singles???
On wednesday morning Anna hit a few balls at red square together with Yevgeny Kafelnikova and Elena Dementieva. It wasn't a real exhibition, just a light hitting and Anna wasn't wearing her normal tennis dress - instead she wore an all-black outfit, no sports outfit at all and no sports shoes!

Well, a few hours later yesterday Anna sprained her left ankle in Doubles...had THIS light hitting at the red square an affect on this??? I doubt it because overall after last year's VERY serious injury in her left foot Anna is really taking care of her body, especially her left foot, I am sure! It was just bad luck I guess - once again :-((((((

Singles???: Anna vs Petrova is scheduled for TODAY - but according to reports ANNA WILL DECIDE ON THURSDAY MORNING IF SHE CAN PLAY OR NOT (no decision apparently made yet!!!) so the whole schedule isn't a guarantee that she plays! Nevertheless, here is the full thursday schedule:

Central Court - start: 11:00 am local (9:00 am CET)

V.Williams vs Maleeva
Nieminen vs Federer (not before 1:00pm local)
Dementieva vs Bovina (not before 3:00pm local)
Kiefer vs Kafelnikov (not before 5:00pm local)
Petrova vs Kournikova

Like I said - I don't know yet HOW SERIOUS Anna's ankle injury is (her left ankle again...) - but IF she plays the match would start at approx. 6:30-7:30 pm local (4:30-5:30 pm CET)!

October 2, 2002
OH NO - sprained left ankle -> retired from Doubles
What should I say??? I was SHOCKED when I read that Anna SPRAINED HER LEFT ANKLE in the second set of the Doubles QF while the score was 4-6,5-1...! Anna twisted her left ankle, received treatment and Anna was able to level the match together with Meghann by winning the 2nd set 6-1! But then Anna had to retire and according to a WTA spokesperson Anna will decide on Thursday morning whether she can play her Singles match vs Petrova or not!!!! Another report says that according to the WTA Injury Report there is a 50-percent chance that Anna can compete on thursday!!! Reports: yahoo | UK-yahoo | sfgate

MY OPINION: I am depressed!!! God, why isn't it possible for Anna to stay HEALTHY for a few months?!?!?! All these minor injuries EVERYTIME (I still don't know how serious this latest one is) and all this affects VERY MUCH Anna's progress as a player of course! I don't even want to think about that this MIGHT be the end for Filderstadt as well. Once again I have to wait and hope, hope, hope. Please don't let this injury be so serious that Anna cannot compete in Filderstadt next week!!!!!!

October 1, 2002 (III)
Anna plays Doubles on wednesday - Head to Head / Moscow-pictures
Wednesday-schedule is out and Anna plays only Doubles Quarterfinal - see schedule:

Court 1 - start: 11:00 am local (1:00 pm CET)

Johansson vs Ulihrach
Serna vs Suarez
Coetzer vs Dokic
Nieminen vs Rios
Dokic/Petrova vs Kournikova/Shaughnessy (2)

So it is really really hard to assume WHEN Anna's match might start - probably at approx. 6:30-8:00 pm local (4:30-6:00 pm CET)!
Perhaps good for Anna to meet Petrova in Doubles first before both face each other in Singles on thursday!
Anna never played team Dokic/Petrova before but she played both players before in different teams:

Doubles vs Jelena Dokic
*Date*	*Location*	Opponent's partner	*Score*	*Surface*
19.04.00	Hilton Head	A.Stevenson	6:0,6:3-win	Clay
28.03.00	Key Biscayne	P.Schnyder	4:6,6:3,1:6-loss	Hardcourt

Head-to-Head: 1-1

Doubles vs Nadia Petrova
*Date*	*Location*	Opponent's partner	*Score*	*Surface*
02.08.00	San Diego	Grant	6:2,6:0-win	Hardcourt

Head-to-Head: 1-0

October 1, 2002
Anna vs Mikaelian at 3:00pm local / Filderstadt offers Wild-card to Anna / gift for 200000-hits
ANNA vs MIKAELIAN - 1st ever meeting!

Tuesday, not before 3:00pm local (1:00pm CET) on Central Court!

EUROSPORT WILL BROADCAST LIVE!

complete tuesday schedule.

PS: Poor Martina Hingis - she has been eliminated in the first round yesterday 2:6,2:6 by Nadia Petrova (additionally, it was Martina's 22th birthday yesterday as well...) and so Petrova would be Anna's 2nd round opponent IF Anna beats Mikaelian today! GO ANNA!

Filderstadt offers Wild-card to Anna: Awesome news especially for me but in fact for any Anna-Fan. Important part of the press release: "Nor will tennis fans miss out on seeing Anna Kournikova (USA), as she has been given a wild-card entry to the event."
Well, just one mistake: Anna isn't a US-citizen (not yet at least), she is still a Russian!
Think back to Hamburg and Berlin earlier this year in May - organizers offered Anna a Wild-Card and according to them she confirmed to play but in the end Anna played at Bol and Warsaw instead of Hamburg and Berlin! BUT: Next week there isn't any other tournament than Filderstadt :-)))) So she either plays and then it HAS TO BE at Filderstadt or she decides to rest an additional week which is unlikely because she just had 2 weeks of rest! Filderstadt-website

gift for 200000-hits: THIS is what Y O U can win:

either 1 Anna-Video for free (I pay for the delivery, you pay for NOTHING) or 2 pictures from Anna!

What do you have to do to win this prize??

Just send me a mail where you say what you like most on annaforever.de! Make up your mind, write a poem, just a few sentences or whatever. It's up to you! Tell me WHY you like annaforever.de (no advertisements at all, everything for free, daily Updates, pictures or whatever), make suggestions, tell me about YOUR experiences with Anna, if you have seen her LIVE and what do you think of her as well. Just tell me YOUR stories!!!!

As soon as I received enough mails I will figure out WHO submitted the best Feedback and I will announce the winner HERE. Therefore please make sure that you give me a valid email-address that I can get in contact with you!

Already qualified (as of October 3, 2002): Bob Docking, Greg Taylor, Rick van Meter, Steffen O., Gonzalo Morago "Chinoko", Ross R., Sonia Simoes