Glamorous ex-tennis star makes rare appearance after health scare
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She is considered one of the most stylish athletes to ever play tennis, having reached a top singles ranking of world No. 8 and being named the world’s most attractive woman.

But this week the former tennis icon was in full mom-mode as she stepped out with her brood just months after sparking fears. 

Earlier this year, fans of Anna Kournikova were worried when she was seen in public in a wheelchair and wearing a protective boot, which was a rare sighting.

However, eight months on, it seems nothing could hold back the athlete-turned-model as she was seen in Miami Beach with her children, free from both the wheelchair and the boot.

In photos exclusive to the Daily Mail, the 44-year-old was captured taking her three children – twins Lucy and Nicholas, seven, and five-year-old Mary – to martial arts class. 

The mother-of-three’s foot appeared to be in good shape as she guided her brood across the road and into the gym in the south Florida island city. 

Former tennis icon Anna Kournikova stepped out with her children in Miami Beach this week 

The 44-year-old was spotted striding across the road with a supportive boot on her foot

The 44-year-old was spotted striding across the road with a supportive boot on her foot

Earlier this year, she sparked major health fears after being spotted in a wheelchair

Earlier this year, she sparked major health fears after being spotted in a wheelchair

Kournikova kept it casual in a white hoodie, black bike shorts and Nike sneakers, scraping her hair into a black scrunchie atop her head. 

Her children, meanwhile, appeared well-equipped for their karate class, carrying packed backpacks, while her eldest daughter Lucy clutched a giant fluffy teddy bear. 

The Russian, who retired from tennis in 2003, shares the trio of youngsters with Spanish singer and longtime partner, Enrique Iglesias. 

The couple, who met on the set of the hitmaker’s music video for his 2001 single ‘Escape,’ have kept a low profile in recent years. 

While the 50-year-old Iglesias has been performing to his adoring fans on tour, tennis fans are only granted rare glimpses of Kournikova. 

But back in January, she was spotted in the wheelchair while out with loved ones at Bal Harbour, a luxurious shopping center in Miami. 

Kournikova was pictured wearing an orthopedic boot on her foot, suggesting she had suffered a recent injury scare but she appeared to have a clear bill of health as she surfaced out-and-about in the SoFlo neighborhood this week.  

Iglesias has lived in the Miami area since the late 1990s with Kournikova joining the heartthrob after the couple shacked up. 

The Russian appeared fit and healthy as she took her children to their martial arts class

The Russian appeared fit and healthy as she took her children to their martial arts class

The retired tennis star has been with long-time partner Enrique Iglesias for two decades

The retired tennis star has been with long-time partner Enrique Iglesias for two decades 

Kournikova and Iglesias share three children, twins Lucy and Nicholas, 7, and Mary, 5

Kournikova and Iglesias share three children, twins Lucy and Nicholas, 7, and Mary, 5

And the ‘Hero’ singer added to their property portfolio earlier this year, purchasing another property in Bay Point, a gated community located in Miami Beach. 

Iglesias reportedly splashed out $6.5 million on a ‘sprawling mid century’ home, built in 1957, on the same block where the under the radar couple reside, Sabal Palm Road, according to the Miami Herald. 

The five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house is nestled in one of Miami’s most sought-after communities as Kournikova and Iglesias continue to raise their children.  

Kournikova called time on her tennis career back in May 2003 after winning 16 career doubles titles. 

She reached world No 1 in doubles in November 1999, a few months after winning the Australian Open alongside partner Martina Hingis.

In singles, Kournikova reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1997, becoming only the second woman in the open era to make it to the last four in her SW19 debut. She lost to eventual champion Hingis. 

Kournikova was then a quarterfinalist at the 2001 Australian Open, before being forced into an early retirement at just 21 years old following a series of injuries, mainly back problems. 

Kournikova also enjoyed the spotlight away from the court, garnering fame as a model. In 2002, she was voted the world’s sexiest woman, beating the likes of Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, and was also acknowledged as the sexiest female tennis player of all time in 2010.

Kournikova reached a career-high World No. 8 in singles

In 2002, she was voted the world's sexiest woman

The tennis player, once voted the world’s sexiest woman, reached a career-high World No. 8 

The couple met on the set of the Spanish singer's music video for his hit 'Escape' in 2001

The couple met on the set of the Spanish singer’s music video for his hit ‘Escape’ in 2001

It was through her off-court ventures that she met Iglesias, the son of Spanish singer and former soccer star Julio Iglesias. 

The greatest mystery surrounding their relationship is if the couple have tied the knot or not. Iglesias previously insisted he wasn’t concerned about getting married but he has also referred to Kournikova as ‘my wife.’

When questioned about referring to Anna as his ‘wife’ in 2012, he clarified: ‘It was just meant to be sweet in the moment. I honestly didn’t mean to confuse people. I thought it’d be easier for the audience to understand than if I said ‘my girl.’

‘I’ve never really thought marriage would make a difference. Maybe it’s because I come from divorced parents, but I don’t think you love someone more because of a piece of paper.

‘And nowadays, it’s not taboo to have kids and not be married. What makes a difference is that you’re a good parent, period.’

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