Anna Kournikova Interview

Anna Kournikova answered some Q’s and A’s thrown at her by the media at the Adidas Y-3 boutique in Buckhead.

Q: Has the [tabloid] media ever gotten anything right about you?

A: Some things. And sometimes their criticism was right, too. I’m not perfect. I’m sure I’ve made mistakes.

Q: Do you get tired of answering the question of whether you’re officially retired?

A: Not at all. I understand that people want to know. I want to know too, and I’d really like to put it to rest. But I really don’t know in my mind and in my heart yet. Until I do, they’re going to keep asking. Once I decide if I am going to play or if I’m not, there’ll be some kind of announcement. There’s no timeline.

Q: Who are your role models for life after tennis?

A: I really respect and admire Oprah and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan – they’re remarkable women. … They inspire me. Another one is Reese Witherspoon. She’s got an amazing career and a family, and she’s so young. And she has values. … The people I most respect are the ones that work hard and achieve and give back to the community. They don’t live isolated lives; they’re actually part of the world.

Q: What’s the next career move for you?

A: One of my passions is working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. I love being with kids and, since tennis has given me so much, it’s only right for me to give back. I want to encourage kids to get into sports, whether it’s professionally or recreationally. Another passion of mine is the sports and fitness industry. I’m writing a column for Elle magazine. And I’m working on getting some DVDs out there focused on sports and fitness. Basically, my goal is to take the things I’ve learned as a professional athlete and trying to help women feel better about themselves and lead healthier lives.