Wonders never cease I guess

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Anna Kournikova won a first-round match in straight sets at the Canadian Open in Montreal. Unbelievable!

Here's another example of what is wrong with our professional sports. I can't remember the last time she went out and won tournament. Or, even wound up in a final for that matter (doubles with Martina Hengis I think).

From what I understand there are usually two spots reserved in most tournaments for "invited players" who aren't ranked. Kournikova is ranked number 38 overall. That's quite a jump from where she was in 47th, but it wasn't all that long ago she wasn't ranked at all.

She makes her entire living on what the media has built her up to be. She makes something like $(US) 12 million a year, $11 million (or more) of which comes from endorsements; more specifically, not from tennis.

But who is she to turn down the attention? If anyone offered me that kind of life I don't think I'd have to think too long to make up my mind, moreso if I were a teenager.

I was just surprised to see her in the headlines tonight. But, hey, I guess it is a headline when she wins. It sure doesn't happen every tournament. Cheers.

[PTH]

It's the same thing all over the place -fame goes to the ones who can get sponsorships, and a hot skantily-clad teenage girl gets more sponsors than your average-looking non-flamboyant calm, cool and collected athlete.

Soon the Olympics will be a handful of highly talented people and Beverly Hills 90210 - ie, athletes who are there because they could get sponsored, not because of any special talent - they were the best in High School, nothing more- but when you get sponsorships, you can play more than others, and that'll give them a HUGE edge over homelier athletes, even those with more talent.

[Roggy]

How can you not love this girl??

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I'd have her in my tournament only because she's a major drawing card. She packs them in and rakes it in.

Cheers.

[MPLABBE]

The bad thing is, she is only around for 2 days..she gets eliminated so early....

[Disgruntled70sHab]

MPLABBE said:

The bad thing is, she is only around for 2 days..she gets eliminated so early....

Unless she's playing doubles with Martina Hengis. They always do well when playing together.

Cheers.