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Friday, August 25
Top Russian female cites scheduling conflicts
ESPN.com news services
MOSCOW -- Anna Kournikova has changed her mind and will not
play tennis at the Sydney Olympics because of scheduling conflicts.
"She said it didn't fit into her schedule," said Shamil Tarpishchev, the president of the Russian tennis federation. "We had a spot open for her but she turned it down."
|  | | Anna Kournikova won't represent Russia in the Sydney Olympics. |
The 19-year-old Russian had said earlier this year she would
definitely compete. But Alexei Selivanenko, vice president of the
Russian Tennis Federation, announced the switch in plans Tuesday.
"Let us say this -- the interests of the Olympic Games and the
interests of the tennis player differ," Selivanenko said. "Her
career considerations come first here."
Kournikova lives in the United States, and she has angered many
Russian sports fans for her repeated refusal to play for Russia. In
one of her few performances for Russia, in the Fed Cup last April,
Kournikova played poorly and was booed by Russian fans.
But this spring, Kournikova said she hadn't competed for Russia
in the past because of injuries.
"I've always wanted to play for my country, I just happened to
have really big injuries in the past two years," Kournikova said
at the time.
Kournikova, 19, currently ranked 18th in the world, is the top Russian player on the WTA Tour.
Tarpishchev, who also serves as Russia's Davis Cup and Fed Cup captain, said Kournikova's reasons were similar to Martina Hingis' recent decision against playing in Sydney. Hingis is currently the top-ranked player in the world.
"Well, it was more of the same story, she (Kournikova) said the Olympics were too close to the U.S. Open and she didn't want to risk any injuries," he said. "Besides, playing in Sydney, she said, wouldn't give her any points in the WTA ranking."
Without Kournikova, Russia will send Elena Likhovtseva, Elena
Dementieva, and Anastasia Myskina, said Alexander Kalivod, the
federation's general secretary. He said Yevgeny Kafelnikov and
Marat Safin would play on the men's side.
"You're absolutely right we wanted her to play," Kalivod said.
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