"I'm like an expensive menu... you can look but you can't afford!"-- Anna Kournikova, 1997

Anna Kournikova has finally broken the silence on recent criticism levelled against her by fellow professionals on the women's circuit suggesting she has nothing but good looks going for her. Anna said : "You don't think people would go on about my looks if I was No. 500 in the world instead of No.12, do you? Anyway, as I keep telling everyone, you can't blame me for looking like this on purpose."

The 19-year-old Russian says she is nothing like the dumb blonde many would like to believe. "I've just done a commercial in the U.S. in which I talk about stocks, shares and bonds." Everyone is amazed. They ask me: 'You really know about that stuff or did you just learn it for the commercial?' "I tell them I wouldn't do it unless I understood and had an interest."

"Boyfriends have to understand me and my needs. They have to know what I want out of my life and about my strict regime. I go to bed at 10pm and not later. I separate my professional and private lives." - Anna Kournikova

"This world believes all blondes are stupid and brunettes are smarter. Well, I disagree." -- Anna Kournikova

"You can't worry about the others. You have to worry about your game. You have to play everybody from No. 1 to 100 and nobody is going to give it to you. You have to win." -- Anna Kournikova

"When I was 12, every little girl in Russia was trying to wear her hair like mine and playing tennis" (GQ interview)

"It's that I have a good personnality and am a good tennis player" (GQ interview)

"Phil wants me to dress like a nun and I want to look like a teenager" talking about her agent...(GQ interview)

"I think it's really important for me not to forget where I came from"

"Like any young person, I do what I want" (Wimbledon 99')

"People don't get to see the unglamourous side" (Wimbledon 99')

"There are a lot of pretty girls. I am a tennis player first of all, that is why I am here, and if wasn't producingresults no one would notice me" (99' Wimbledon Interview)

"I lost this battle but I'll win the war"(98' Wimbledon)

"It's true I always try to be as seductive as possible but I wouldn't be here if I couldn't play tennis"

"I worked very hard and I earned all the attention I'm getting"

"A court is like a scene, people want to see attractive people"

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"Anna Kournikova is by far the most beautiful woman to ever play tennis. Not only is she beautiful, but talented as well. The grace and poise she demonstrates whenever I see her play just captivates me" - Famousbabes.com webmaster