From one of the biggest names in world sport as a teenager to barely being spotted in public just over two decades later, Anna Kournikova's life has dramatically changed.

The Russian-born superstar was so popular during her short-lived career that she was still the most Googled athlete in the world five years after retiring.

But her journey in the two decades since walking away from tennis at just 21 years old suggests that fame isn't always the key to happiness.

Anna Kournikova Was Forced Into Early Retirement

Kournikova was such a promising talent at a young age that she turned professional at just 14 years of age. Her Wimbledon debut came in 1997, when she was 16, and she reached the semi-finals.

Many at the time believed they were witnessing the early stages of the sport's next big star, which ended up being Kournikova's best-ever singles tournament performance.

She did win two Australian Open doubles titles with Martina Hingis in 1999 and 2002. Meanwhile, the Russian was gaining huge attention for her good looks, being crowned one half of the 'Spice Girls of tennis' and the 'hottest female athlete' by ESPN.

Kournikova peaked at number eight in the world but was quickly becoming the sport's biggest name. She embarked on lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Adidas and Omega, while becoming the face of shock absorber sports bras.

Public scrutiny and mounting injury problems added intense pressure on her shoulders and Kournikova shocked everyone by announcing her retirement at just 21 years old in 2003.

"Being in the spotlight since I was a child was really hard," the former athlete admitted (per The Sun). "I did feel pressure when people were saying things like, ‘You’re too pretty, you can’t play,’ or whatever.

“I would get so nervous and get anxiety on the court, I wouldn’t be able to move."

Kournikova's Scary Experience After Retiring

As shown by her popularity on Google, Kournikova's fame continued into retirement. She has continued to make huge money from sponsorship deals and is believed to have a net worth around $60 million.

But despite the glitz and glamour, she has had her share of 'frightening and scary' moments. In 2005, a stalker attempted to swim to her house naked in an attempt to get her to save him from drowning.

The individual, named William Lepeska, actually swam to the wrong property but still left the ex-tennis star shaken up. Lepeska had a tattoo of Kournikova on his arm and sent several explicit emails and letters to her.

This prompted Kournikova to increase her security, hiring bodyguards. In court, she said: "I was absolutely shocked and fearful, and I was very much concerned for my safety. It was very frightening and scary… just knowing there is someone out there who’s obsessive."

That experience may have played a part in her decision to step away from the public eye almost completely.

A Rare Sighting in 2025 Left Fans Worried

In recent years, there has been little sign of Kournikova in public. She hasn't even posted on social media since a family photo in 2022.

An image of the Russian icon out in public surfaced in 2025, showing her in a wheelchair and wearing a protective boot. The image sparked concerns about Kournikova's condition.

It was a significant change from the glamorous superstar she was always portrayed as during the peak of her career and in the years immediately after.

Kournikova, now 45, is now happier living a reclusive life, spending all her time looking after her three children. She has been with pop star Enrique Iglesias for over two decades, although it's unclear whether they've tied the knot.

They share three children: Nicolas, Lucy and Mary. While she's moved away from the spotlight for one reason or another, Kournikova stressed how happy she is with her family, stating: "Being with them is happiness, I am not ready to miss a single second."