Images of Anna Kournikova's unexpected public appearance have recently gone viral, sparking concern among fans. The former Russian tennis star, who has maintained a low profile for the past years, was recently photographed in Miami leaving the Bal Harbour shopping center in a wheelchair. Wearing an orthopedic boot and a bandaged toe, she was accompanied by her daughters, Lucy and Mary, along with some friends.
The sight of Kournikova in a wheelchair led to widespread speculation regarding her health, with some reports questioning whether her condition was linked to the injuries that ultimately led to her retirement from professional tennis in 2003. At the young age of 21, she was forced to leave the sport due to chronic back and spinal issues, cutting short a promising career. However, those concerns have now been put to rest.
Isabel Preysler, Kournikova's mother-in-law and a well-known socialite, has clarified the situation. After spending a few days in Miami with her family, she addressed the rumors before boarding a flight back to Spain. "It's nothing serious, just a minor foot injury. It's a small sprain, but you know how painful those can be," Preysler stated, reassuring fans that Kournikova's condition is not a cause for major concern.
Despite Isabel's comments, sources close to Kournikova say her time as a professional athlete has affected her health. "She has had major pain for years due to her tennis career and rigid training her whole life," a source reveals. Kournikova, who retired from tennis at just 21 due to chronic injuries, has since prioritized her family life with Iglesias, whom she met on his "Escape" music video in 2001.
Preysler had been in Miami since early January, enjoying quality time with her older children—Chábeli, Julio, Enrique Iglesias—and her grandchildren. The last time Kournikova was seen publicly was in May 2022, during Enrique Iglesias' birthday celebration with their three children: seven-year-old twins Lucy and Nicholas and Mary, who recently turned five.
Kournikova and Iglesias have always prioritized their family's privacy, leading a quiet life away from the public eye. While Enrique continues to perform and promote his music, Kournikova remains devoted to raising their children in a serene environment. Their daughters have grown significantly over the past two years, with both sporting long, wavy hair—Mary's being a lighter blonde shade than her older sister's.
In 2024, during an interview hosted by Cris Regatero and Cris Vanadia, Iglesias revealed, "I'm relaxing, spending time at home with my kids, taking them to school, watching them grow. I have three children: six-year-old twins and a four-year-old daughter, and it feels like they grow up a little every day." Iglesias shared his appreciation for his family-centered lifestyle, adding, "I'm headed home tonight, and it already feels like they've grown while I've been away."
Though her recent appearance may have sparked concern, fans can rest assured that Kournikova's injury is a temporary setback.