"Anna Kournikova is a good, solid tennis player, just not No. 1" - When Chris Evert defended Russian after she was slut-shamed by Nathalie Tauzat

Chris Evert has never been one to hold back her opinions, and she once came to Anna Kournikova’s defense in a big way. Evert was furious after former WTA pro Nathalie Tauziat subjected Kournikova to slut-shaming.

Tauziat was a French tennis professional best known for reaching the Wimbledon singles final in 1998 and the US Open women’s doubles final in 2001. Over the course of her career, she also rose as high as World No. 3 in both singles and doubles.

In her book 'The Hidden Side of Women’s Tennis,' the Frenchwoman referred to Anna Kournikova as a “blonde cash machine” who flaunts her body. She also labeled her a “Lolita” who “parades around like a queen” and relies more on selling sex appeal than showcasing talent.

Chris Evert, furious after learning of Tauziat’s remarks, dismissed the claims outright. She defended Anna Kournikova as a solid tennis player, even if she had never reached World No. 1. Evert also pointed out that when it came to “glamour,” Kournikova’s appeal did help bring fans and sell tickets.

“Anna is a good, solid tennis player – she’s just not No. 1 in the world,” the American said.

“As far as Anna goes, glamour does sell tickets, and tickets sell sponsorships. In that respect, it’s good for the game," she added.

Looking back at Anna Kournikova's career

Anna Kournikova pictured at Wimbledon 2010 | Image Source: Getty

Anna Kournikova’s tennis career was short but unforgettable. Born in Moscow in 1981, she quickly made a name for herself in the junior circuit and later moved to Florida to train at Nick Bollettieri’s academy. By 16, she had already reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 1997. Although she never claimed a WTA singles title, her presence on the court made her one of tennis’s most recognizable faces.

Kournikova found her greatest success in doubles, teaming up with Martina Hingis to create a dominant partnership. Together, they won two Australian Open titles, several other WTA tournaments, and reached the top of the doubles rankings. In singles, she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 8.

Injuries to her back and feet, however, cut her career short, leading her to retire in 2003 at just 21. Despite this, Kournikova’s influence endured, inspiring players such as Maria Sharapova, who would go on to become a five-time Grand Slam champion and one of the sport’s standout stars.

About the author

Pritha is one of the driving forces behind Sportskeeda's tennis coverage, serving as an assistant content manager and editor. What began as a casual escape from her tiring biotechnology degree course in early 2022 has blossomed into a passion she loves, cherishes, and breathes every day.

Pritha’s love for the sport was spawned by her dad who showed her clips of "GOAT" Steffi Graf’s matches. Despite a thwarted dream of playing professionally due to injury, she finds solace in reporting the sport, while also mentoring other writers to ensure every article is error-free and top-notch. She double-checks credible sources, such as the tournament/player handles and big tennis media outlets, and gives proper credit where required.

Pritha's journey at Sportskeeda is marked by more than 2000 articles and close to 16 million views, with the "dream-come-true" moment of having her article shared by Chris Evert serving as a highlight of her career. A lifelong Wimbledon fan, Pritha also adores Rafael Nadal, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka.

When she's not seeking unique angles to elevate tennis coverage at Sportskeeda, she loves to channel her inner astrophysics "nerd" by exploring new sci-fi series and movies. A big Lionel Messi, Lewis Hamilton, and Randy Orton fan, she is always ready to engage in sports conversations anytime, anywhere, albeit not without a cup of coffee.

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Edited by Pritha Ghosh