Anna Kournikova: Life, Relationship, and Health Now

Anna Kournikova’s name still sparks curiosity decades after she last stepped on a professional tennis court. Her story is one of early stardom, chronic injury, and a life deliberately lived away from the spotlight, and this article separates verified facts from lingering questions about her health, wealth, and relationship with Enrique Iglesias.

Born: June 7, 1981 · Former ranking: WTA Doubles No. 1, Singles No. 8 · Retired: 2003 · Children: 3 · Partner: Enrique Iglesias (since 2001) · Estimated net worth: $20 million

Kournikova’s career statistics, documented across official sports archives, reveal a paradox: a player ranked No. 8 in singles who never won a WTA singles tournament. Here are the official numbers.

Is Anna Kournikova still with Enrique?

Yes. All credible reports confirm that former tennis star Anna Kournikova and singer Enrique Iglesias remain together as of 2025. The couple met in 2001 on the set of Iglesias’s music video “Escape,” and have been a unit ever since, despite rumors of a split around 2008–2009.

Did Enrique and Anna ever break up?

• They briefly separated in 2008–2009, but Iglesias later said he “chased her” and apologized – HELLO! (celebrity news)
• A 2025 report from HOLA! USA shows the couple stepping out together with their children, confirming an active family life – HOLA! USA (Spanish‑language celebrity magazine)
• Enrique proposed in 2007, but no wedding has taken place – HELLO! (celebrity news)

Why this matters: The relationship’s stability is a public curiosity precisely because the couple never married – a choice that speaks to both Iglesias’s public stance on marriage and Kournikova’s desire for privacy.

Why won’t Enrique marry Anna?

Iglesias has consistently said he doesn’t believe in marriage as an institution. In various interviews, he has referred to Kournikova as his wife “in every sense except legal,” and she has echoed the sentiment, stating she doesn’t need a ceremony.

What is the reason Enrique Iglesias hasn’t married Anna Kournikova?

• Enrique stated in a 2015 interview: “I don’t think a piece of paper makes you more committed” – HELLO! (celebrity news)
• Kournikova told a Spanish magazine that a wedding “is not something we need” – Marca (Spanish sports newspaper)

The implication: Both partners are aligned on this – the absence of a legal marriage is a deliberate choice, not a rift. For fans, it’s a reminder that traditional milestones don’t define every long‑term relationship.

Why is Anna Kournikova in a wheelchair now?

Speculation about Kournikova using a wheelchair began in 2022 when photos circulated online. The cause is believed to be her long‑standing back problems, but no official diagnosis has been released. We separate what’s known from what’s presumed.

What health issues does Anna Kournikova face?

• She suffered stress fractures and chronic back pain during her tennis career – On This Day (historical database)
• Media reports have linked her current mobility challenges to those injuries, but no medical statement confirms the specific condition – Marca (Spanish sports newspaper)

Has Anna Kournikova had back surgery?

• No record of surgery has been publicly announced; the retirement note cited “recurring back and spinal issues” – On This Day (historical database)
• In 2025, HOLA! USA reported the family stepped out after a health scare, but did not specify the nature – HOLA! USA (Spanish‑language celebrity magazine)

The catch: Without an official statement, every wheelchair photo becomes a guessing game. The lack of transparency is consistent with Kournikova’s fiercely private post‑tennis life.

How many children does Anna Kournikova have?

She and Enrique Iglesias have three children – twins Nicholas and Lucy, born in December 2017, and daughter Mary, born in January 2020. The children’s names were first reported by HELLO! and later confirmed by Marca.

What are the names and ages of Anna Kournikova’s children?

• Twins Nicholas and Lucy – born December 2017 (age 7 as of 2025) – HELLO! (celebrity news)
• Mary – born January 2020 (age 5 as of 2025) – HELLO! (celebrity news)
• The children have never appeared in any official photo or social media post from the parents – Marca (Spanish sports newspaper)

Why this matters: The couple’s success in keeping three children out of the public eye is almost unprecedented for a celebrity of their stature. It reinforces Kournikova’s priority: family over fame.

Why did Anna Kournikova retire so early?

She was only 21 when she stopped playing in 2003. Chronic back and spinal problems made it impossible to sustain the physical demands of professional tennis, despite her enormous commercial appeal.

What injuries did Anna Kournikova have?

• Stress fractures in her back – On This Day (historical database)
• Recurring spinal issues that forced her to play only ten tournaments in 2001 – HELLO! (celebrity news)

How successful was Anna Kournikova in tennis?

• Grand Slam doubles titles: 1999 and 2002 Australian Open (with Martina Hingis) – On This Day (historical database)
• WTA doubles titles: 16 – Wikipedia (French, biographical)
• Wimbledon singles semifinalist at age 16 (1997) – HELLO! (celebrity news)

The trade‑off: She was one of the most marketable athletes before her 20th birthday, but the injuries never let her translate that fame into singles titles. Her legacy is a fascinating blend of missed potential and undeniable excellence in doubles.

“Anna Kournikova’s career-high singles ranking was World No. 8.”

Olympedia (olympic database)

“The couple have been together since 2001 and have three children.”

HELLO! (celebrity news)

Kournikova’s story is a rare case of a celebrity who walked away from the spotlight at its brightest. Her life now – private, family‑focused, and intentionally low‑profile – is a deliberate choice that few in her position have managed to sustain. For those who still wonder “what happened to Anna Kournikova,” the answer is simple: she built the life she wanted, outside the camera’s frame. For the tennis world and her millions of fans, the implication is clear: privacy was the prize, not the consolation.