Why Anna Kournikova Was Using a Wheelchair in Rare New Photos

Why Anna Kournikova Was Using a Wheelchair in Rare New Photos

Anna Kournikova, the former tennis sensation turned global icon, recently made headlines again—but this time, it wasn’t for her on-court prowess or her glamorous lifestyle. Instead, rare new photos surfaced showing her in a wheelchair, sparking widespread speculation and concern among fans.

Was it a serious injury? A long-term health issue? Or something else entirely?

Let’s break down what happened, why Kournikova was spotted in a wheelchair, and how this moment fits into her fascinating journey from tennis star to one of the most enduring names in sports and entertainment.

From Tennis Prodigy to Global Superstar

Before diving into the recent photos, let’s take a step back and revisit why Anna Kournikova remains such an intriguing figure in the sports world.

Born in Russia in 1981, Kournikova was a tennis prodigy from a young age. She burst onto the professional scene in the late 1990s, wowing audiences with her aggressive baseline game, powerful groundstrokes, and impeccable doubles play. While she never won a singles title on the WTA Tour, she became a Grand Slam champion in doubles, winning the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002 alongside her legendary partner, Martina Hingis.

Despite her undeniable talent, injuries derailed Kournikova’s career. By 2003, persistent back issues forced her into early retirement at just 22 years old. However, rather than fade into obscurity, Kournikova leveraged her fame to become a global celebrity, working as a model, television personality, and fitness advocate.

Her high-profile relationship with Enrique Iglesias only added to her allure, keeping her in the public eye despite stepping away from professional tennis.

The Shocking Wheelchair Photos: What Really Happened?

In a rare public sighting, Anna Kournikova was photographed being wheeled around in a wheelchair, immediately sparking a flurry of online discussions. Given her history of injuries, many fans feared the worst—was she dealing with a serious medical condition?

Sources close to Kournikova later clarified that she had not suffered a major accident but was recovering from a minor procedure. While details remained scarce, reports suggested it was likely related to lingering back or knee issues, both of which had plagued her during her playing days.

Even though Kournikova is no longer competing, the long-term effects of a high-impact tennis career can linger for years. Many former athletes deal with chronic pain, joint issues, and mobility struggles—so seeing her in a wheelchair, even temporarily, wasn’t entirely surprising.

Kournikova’s History of Injuries: The Cost of a Tennis Career

Tennis is a physically demanding sport, requiring constant twisting, sprinting, and repetitive impact on the body. For someone like Kournikova, who started playing at an elite level as a child, the toll was immense.

Throughout her career, she suffered from:

• Lower back injuries – One of the key reasons she retired early. Chronic back pain made it impossible to continue competing at the highest level.
• Knee problems – Like many tennis players, she endured issues with her knees, which take a beating from hard-court play.
• Ankle and foot concerns – Quick directional changes and sprints often lead to stress fractures and ligament strains.

Many fans still wonder what could have been if Kournikova had remained injury-free. Could she have eventually won a singles title? Would she have been able to cement her legacy alongside the likes of Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova?

We’ll never know. But one thing is certain—Kournikova’s injuries cut short what could have been an even greater career.

How Kournikova Stays in Shape Post-Retirement

Despite the recent wheelchair photos, Anna Kournikova remains a fitness icon. Even after leaving the professional circuit, she has maintained an impressive level of fitness, often sharing glimpses of her workouts on social media.

She has credited yoga, Pilates, and low-impact strength training for keeping her body strong while avoiding the injuries that once plagued her.

However, as many retired athletes know, the effects of years of high-performance training don’t simply disappear. Occasional injuries, flare-ups, or medical procedures are common.

This could explain why she needed assistance in those recent photos—it might have been a precautionary measure rather than a sign of something more serious.

Life Beyond Tennis: Family and Privacy

Another reason Anna Kournikova remains such a mystery to fans is her intensely private life. Unlike many retired athletes who embrace the spotlight, Kournikova has largely stepped away from public attention.

She and Enrique Iglesias have been together for over two decades, welcoming three children—twins Nicholas and Lucy in 2017, and their youngest daughter, Mary, in 2020.

Motherhood has clearly become her top priority, and she has chosen to live away from the Hollywood limelight, residing in Miami with her family.

While Enrique still tours and releases music, Kournikova rarely makes public appearances. This made the wheelchair photos even more shocking—fans simply weren’t used to seeing her at all, let alone in a vulnerable moment.

Social Media Reaction: Fans Express Concern and Support

As soon as the photos hit the internet, fans flooded social media with messages of concern. Many reminisced about her tennis career, while others simply wished her a speedy recovery.

• “I hope Anna is okay! She was my idol growing up.”
• “She’s been through so much with injuries—this is heartbreaking.”
• “Glad to hear it’s nothing major. She’s always been a fighter!”

Unlike current sports stars who actively engage with fans online, Kournikova doesn’t post much about her personal life, so she didn’t address the situation directly. However, sources close to her reassured fans that there was no cause for alarm.

Will Kournikova Ever Make a Comeback?

Although she retired from professional tennis years ago, some still wonder—could she ever return to the sport in some capacity?