Tennis beauty Anna Kournikova has just pulled out of next week’s Britannic Asset Management Championship in Eastbourne – considered a warm-up for Wimbledon – citing a stress fracture in her left foot. Fans of the 20-year-old Russian stunner are now left wondering whether Anna will be fit enough to play at the All England Lawn Tennis Club come the end of June.
“I always enjoy playing at Eastbourne so I am really sorry that my foot has not healed quickly enough to allow me to play there again this year,” says the player, ranked tenth in the world despite never having won a professional singles tournament.
Anna, who hasn’t entered a tournament since February, was set to debut a new look at Wimbledon, including a slightly longer white Adidas dress and sparkling red and gold trainers. However, the Anna faithful may have to wait a bit longer before catching a glimpse of her new image.
Meanwhile, Venus and Serena Williams will be on hand for the 2001 Wimbledon championship, despite the fact tour officials have banned their travelling companions. Defending champion Venus and her sister Serena had hoped to bring their dogs, a Yorkshire terrier and a Jack Russell, with them to London. However, tournament officials have told them the pups are not welcome.
“The prospect of some dog widdling on the grass is something we don’t want to encourage. It is not in the interests of hygiene,” said a Wimbledon spokesman. “There is no room in the stands for them or anywhere, however well behaved they are.” The Williams sisters had hoped to bypass Britain’s quarantine laws, but it now seems their pets won’t be making the transatlantic voyage.
Wimbledon commences on June 25 and runs through July 8.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
