| Anna Crushes; Pat and Monica Return | |
Dateline: 03/02/00
I saw a news story on ZDTV recently that mentioned that Anna Kournikova has more Web sites devoted to her than any other athlete in the world. If this is true, there's a good chance that a certain hockey star named Pavel Bure may soon have more males envying him than any other athlete in the world. Rumor has it that he and Anna are engaged. Anna is refusing to say anything for now, perhaps not wanting to dash millions of hopes with more suddenness than can be endured.
Without even taking a scientific survey, I am prepared to declare that the consensus opinion deems Anna too young to be getting married! She is after all, only eighteen. And who knows how this would affect her play? She's off to a good start in 2000, making the semis at the Sydney International and the Open Gaz de France.
Follow Steffi's lead, Anna. Get married after you retire. Or, if you won't follow Steffi, follow Jesse (Jackson that is) and "Keep hope alive!"
Meanwhile, as the gleam begins to flicker in countless male eyes, Patrick Rafter has given the female fans new reason to stay glued to the TV. Patrick has finally recovered from the shoulder injury that took him out of last year's US Open and this year's Australian. Playing his first singles match in six months, Pat looked strong winning the first round of the Citrix Championships in Florida on Tuesday. He was particularly relieved to be able to hit his kick serve comfortably. It's one of his biggest weapons, playing a key role in his two US Open titles, but it also puts the biggest strain on his shoulder. Pat's female fans will be joined by plenty of guys, myself included, who will be glad to see him back. He's the best serve-and-volley player in the game now, and he projects a friendly and conscientious personality.
More good news for those of us who enjoy a well-deserved comeback: Monica Seles won the IGA SuperThrift Tennis Classic in Oklahoma City Sunday. This was Monica's first tournament since her September foot injury. She cruised through without losing a set, although Nathalie Dechy did take her to a tie-break in the final. Monica's next project is to test her newly healed foot in some more intensive conditioning. She hopes to shed a few pounds and gain the speed she will need to challenge the top players again. I wish her success.
The guys have been posting nominations for the most watchable females at the tennis forum, and Anna actually has some serious competition with the initials G.S.. Let's hear from some of the female fans who might want to put in a word for P.R. or, if you've been around for a few years, S.E..
