Lines from and about Anna Kournikova:

"Let's talk about bras."
-- Kournikova's attempt to get a press conference back on track

"Only the ball should bounce."
-- The tag line of Kournikova's latest business venture

"She is so ugly."
-- Kournikova's assessment of Britain's own Liz Hurley

"I think she's cracker."
-- Male on-court streaker's assessment of Kournikova

"It's like a menu. They can look, but they can't afford it."
-- Kournikova's response to her many admirers

Despite upsetting the 10th seed, Sandrine Testud, in the first round, Anna Kournikova did not stick around in singles for long. While Wimbledon may have been "Kourni Over" after her second round loss to Anne-Gaelle Sidot, the tabloid press did not need the Russian on the court to fill their "Kourni Corner" columns for the next week and a half. Kournikova was deemed newsworthy whether it was a new "clothing" line, some verbal volleys with a British model/actress, or an unexpected visitor during a doubles match.

Prior 2000 Wimbledon debut, Kournikova introduced a new line of sports bras. Sports bras have taken on a new significance in women's sports. Not only are they a utilitarian item of clothing, but they have truly become a badge of honor in women's sports. Case in point, the US Women's Soccer Team winning the World Championships. The lasting memory from that victory...Brandi Chastain dropping to her knees and ripping off her shirt to reveal her Nike sports bra. An image that was played repeatedly on television and landed Chastain on the cover of more than one national magazine. So it was only natural for Kournikova to start her own line blending sports, sex, and capitalism. In a press conference to announce the line, questioning inevitably drifted to the Russian's apparently fascinating personal life. In attempt to cut off reporters, Kournikova deadpanned with the first quote this week..."Let's talk about bras." Granted I am not quizzed about my personal relationships on a world-wide stage, but talking about undergarments are as personal as it gets. I am no expert on the benefits of these lycra wonders, but I can take a good guess of their intrinsic value. But Kournikova's goal here is to educate women. No joking here folks. I do not know how one goes about educating the public about sports bras but my initial reaction to the bra line slogan, "Only the ball should bounce," was a snicker. At first I thought this was another media creation, but after seeing the slogan mentioned in several sources I realized the risque ad phrase was the real thing. It may work in print, but Kournikova will surely top her "instant-classic" Charles Schwab ad if these bras ever make it to the television airwaves.

Kournikova's most notable appearance outside the All England Lawn & Tennis Club was at, of all places, Buckingham Palace. Kournikova participated in a doubles match and watched the premier event, a exhibition match between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. Pulling her best denim miniskirt and four-inch heels out of her suitcase, Kournikova wowed the crowd and ended up being seated behind a Hugh Grant-less, Elizabeth Hurley. Allegedly Kournikova whispered to a representative from Russian Vogue magazine (yes, Russian Vogue -- go figure!), that the statuesque Austin Powers babe "is so ugly." Needless to say, the tabloids went after this one like a pitbull alone in a room with a chihuahua. Hurley took the high road with no official retort, but a Hurley journalist/friend fought back in print with this claw bearing reply: " Ms. Kournikova has a pudgy face, no waist, no neck, and the temporary physical appeal of a spoiled, untrained puppy." Ouch! "love" does mean "nothing" in tennis afterall!

Moving onto some comic relief (well, technically for some of us that last paragraph was), a "professional" streaker displayed his family jewels to the Court 14 spectators and players (Kournikova, Natasha Zvereva, Amy Frazier and Katie Schlukebir) alike. While Kournikova was not necessarily the target of the 35-year-old's public display he did confess "she's cracker" -- a British slang for very attractive. Kournikova sheepishly covered her face with a towel during this very different kind of exhibition. When asked about it after the match Kournikova offered little and simply stated "I was just trying to think about the match." She has looks and even athletic ability, but is it just me or is a sense of humor one thing Kournikova lacks? While I would have returned to the sports bra slogan for the slam-dunk double entendre, the incident elicited my favorite bad pun tabloid headline of the fortnight: "Quick Kourni, Kova Your Eyes."

Finally, even the AELTC had some fun with Kournikova. The official Wimbledon program dubbed the Kournikova-Testud first round match the "Dish of The Day." This made the last above mentioned quote, pulled from an American weekly entertainment magazine, even the more humorous. On the tennis menu, the Russian is certainly a tantalizing appetizer. While Kournikova may think that we "can't afford it" the truth may just be that we are saving ourselves for the main course.