SPORTS is part of the Russian culture and it is only natural to see the dominance of Russia in tennis.

So says former tennis star Anna Kournikova, who believes that the only way for Asians to succeed at top-level tennis is by embracing the sport as a way of life.

“Yes, there are many talented Asians out there. But we in Russia have many great players as sports is part of the culture,” said Kournikova.

“Sports gave me my life and through my voice and status, I can attract attention to aid the causes (referring to her charity work worldwide).”

Kournikova made a brief appearance for the official launch of the Showdown of Champions 2009 at the Pavilion in Bukit Bintang yesterday.

She is the ambassador for this year’s edition. Among those in previous exhibition matches over the past two years include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, James Blake, Richard Gasquet, Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.

Billed as “Asia versus Russia — The Grand Slam”, the two-day affair, scheduled for Dec 19 and 20, will feature the likes of Asian darlings Sania Mirza and Zhang Jie together with Russians Maria Kirilenko and Beijing Olympics gold medallist Elena Dementieva.

Present at the launch were Tourism Ministry director-general, Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia president Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff.

Kournikova, who was in the country only for the day, did not rule out the possibility of visiting Malaysia again. “It’s been great and people here are just over-friendly. I mean it in a nice way.

“I would love to come back and relax at the beaches and spend more time in KL.”

Clad in a glittering crimson baju kurung and a black scarf, Kournikova admitted she misses her days playing competitive tennis.

Kournikova was renowned in the doubles event, having won the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002. Sadly, nagging injuries forced her out of the scene prematurely as she retired from the WTA tour in 2003.

“Obviously, I miss playing. I’ve been playing for the past 23 years of my life and there are moments when I miss the whole atmosphere.

“But it’s a different life now and there’s so much out there to do. I have come to a point where I can be very picky and choosy with what I want to do and it’s all thanks to my involvement in tennis.”

Abdul Razak, meanwhile, believes that the series of exhibition matches and the recent ATP250 tournament have further spurred the interest of tennis in the country.

“Tennis equipment has seen an increase in sales while more people are renting courts. The interest is there and we’re happy to facilitate such events in the country. The ultimate goal is to get more people to enjoy tennis.”

Anna simply dazzles them

ALLURINGLY clad in a sparkling crimson baju kurung that was perfectly complemented by contrasting black kain sarong and selendang, Anna Kournikova’s first appearance in Malaysia was simply a stunner.

The Russian former tennis star was in town for her unveiling as the event ambassador for The Showdown of Champions 2009 during the event’s official launch at Pavillion KL yesterday.

Members of the Press began feeling agitated when the launch was held up for about an hour because of Kournikova’s late arrival — due to a delay in her flight from Miami, via London — but all was made up when the 28-year-old, 5-ft-7 blonde bombshell eventually appeared on stage looking all dazzling and gorgeous in her gleaming outfit.

“I just love it!” said Kournikova, when asked what she thought of her baju kurung.

“I think it’s really beautiful how Malaysia is modern but at the same time traditional. I’m really excited to be here, in a new place. I think it’s a paradise,” she said.

“I must say the people in Malaysia are too friendly! Everybody seems to be always smiling.”

During the Q&A session with the Press, the bubbly Kournikova was a good sport.

When asked what she thought of Malaysian men, based on her observations since arriving in the city, she replied: “Very cute!”

“I love people of all races, but at the end of the day, it’s still the personality that matters,” she added.

After the media conference, Kournikova switched into a different dress, and later posed for snap-happy photographers at the fountain outside the Pavilion.

Curious passers-by, upon recognising the Russian celebrity, quickly took out their cameras to take their own photos of Kournikova.

Although she is one of the most well-known tennis personalities in the world, Kournikova has not won much on the courts. She has only two Grand Slam wins to her name; winning the women’s doubles at the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002 with Swiss ace Martina Hingis.

Hampered by a series of injuries, Kournikova eventually hung up her racket in 2003, but has made several appearances in exhibitions matches — mostly for charity.

Kournikova has also made a name in the modelling world.

One of her most notable shoots was for a shock absorber sports bra ad by Berlei back in 2000, which was made memorable by the witty tagline “Only the ball shall bounce”.

Today, Kournikova spends most of her time doing charity work, among them helping out with children’s welfare programmes.

“I am very passionate about helping kids, so I’m using my celebrity status to help encourage and promote sports among children,” said Kournikova, who is also an ambassador for children’s NGO Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

Also on the list of her future charity programmes is a United Service Organisation (USO) visit to Iraq and Afghanistan.