Anna Kournikova

What does Anna Kournikova know about losing weight? Some saw her as a curious choice to help replace outgoing trainer Jillian Michaels when Season 12 of "The Biggest Loser" returned to Tuesdays on NBC. But the 30-year-old says she has plenty in common with the morbidly obese contestants on the weight-loss reality show. "I know what it's like to be judged, dissected, picked apart for all of my life," said the Russian-born tennis player who was arguably more famous for her willowy blond looks than for her court prowess.

What does Anna Kournikova know about losing weight? Some saw her as a curious choice to help replace outgoing trainer Jillian Michaels when Season 12 of "The Biggest Loser" returned to Tuesdays on NBC. But the 30-year-old says she has plenty in common with the morbidly obese contestants on the weight-loss reality show. "I know what it's like to be judged, dissected, picked apart for all of my life," said the Russian-born tennis player who was arguably more famous for her willowy blond looks than for her court prowess.

Reporting from Wimbledon, England — Court 2 was packed for what is called the "Ladies Invitation Doubles," which is another way of saying retired women's exhibition. But this was no ordinary "Ladies Invitation." This was five-time Grand Slam tournament winner Martina Hingis , who was banned from tennis for two years after testing positive for cocaine, and Anna Kournikova , who will be forever known as tennis' most renowned non-champion, appreciated for her cover-girl looks at least as much as for her sporting accomplishments.

Reporting from Wimbledon, England — Court 2 was packed for what is called the "Ladies Invitation Doubles," which is another way of saying retired women's exhibition. But this was no ordinary "Ladies Invitation." This was five-time Grand Slam tournament winner Martina Hingis , who was banned from tennis for two years after testing positive for cocaine, and Anna Kournikova , who will be forever known as tennis' most renowned non-champion, appreciated for her cover-girl looks at least as much as for her sporting accomplishments.

One man's opinion: Anna Kournikova is the Laura Baugh of tennis. JOE LYOU Gardena

No matter how much The Times roots for Danica Patrick with breathless essays, it still won't change that she has zero wins. Danica: the Anna Kournikova of Indy Racing. HALE ANTICO Santa Clarita

A federal appeals court declined Wednesday to bar Penthouse from redistributing photos that the magazine claimed in error to show tennis player Anna Kournikova topless. Kournikova asked a Los Angeles judge to bar Penthouse from further distribution of the photos, but he declined. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals also declined to act. The appeals court said the issue was "largely moot" because the publisher had stopped distributing that issue.

Attention, Anna Kournikova admirers: There is hope. The marriage of tennis' pinup queen is off. If it was ever on. She was supposed to marry fellow Russian Pavel Bure of the Florida Panthers. "I never said I was engaged or was planning to get married, because I have no such plans," Kournikova, 18, said in a statement posted on her Web site. And, "A wedding isn't entering into my plans just yet," the 28-year-old Bure told the Russian newspaper, Komsomolskaya Pravda.

Venus and Serena Williams got their wish in Friday's draw. The only way the sisters can meet at the French Open is in the final. Venus Williams, seeded eighth, will open against Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand. One intriguing women's first-round match is No. 13 Anna Kournikova, 16, of Russia and Amelie Mauresmo, 18, of France. Kournikova beat No.

A homeless man who said he was in love with tennis star Anna Kournikova swam naked across Biscayne Bay in Miami in search of her home and was caught lounging in the buff at her neighbor's pool, police said. Police said William Lepeska screamed, "Anna! Save me!" as he was arrested at the house three doors from Kournikova's $5-million home. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Is Anna Kournikova making a comeback or what? With the U.S. Open going strong -- and being where she reached the fourth round in 1996 at age 15 -- it would appear that Annamania, or whatever you want to call it, is happening again. Last month, she was profiled in a Where Are They Now? feature in Sports Illustrated. Where Kournikova is now is on the cover of the September issue of Maxim, and inside is a seven-page article with photos of her relaxing on the beach, plus a question-and-answer feature.

Anna Kournikova has heard it all before. In her career, she was a punching bag for critics who pointed to her having never won a singles title on the WTA Tour as they decried the attention she received for her looks. Now, with her peak professional days behind her, and despite a dearth of victories, Kournikova's name still is mentioned whenever a female athlete attempts to parlay her good looks into a lucrative off-the-field career -- and that keeps the punches coming.

No matter how much The Times roots for Danica Patrick with breathless essays, it still won't change that she has zero wins. Danica: the Anna Kournikova of Indy Racing. HALE ANTICO Santa Clarita

A homeless man who said he was in love with tennis star Anna Kournikova swam naked across Biscayne Bay in Miami in search of her home and was caught lounging in the buff at her neighbor's pool, police said. Police said William Lepeska screamed, "Anna! Save me!" as he was arrested at the house three doors from Kournikova's $5-million home. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

On a sunny afternoon, some of the world's best-known surfers are practicing the sport's most demanding move: waiting for waves. Scrunched together on a queen-size bed, they watch a video -- a pastiche of themselves and their friends jumping off yachts near an island and charging waves. They howl with delight at each other's on-screen quirks. "She has the funniest kickouts!'' hoots one.

Tonya Harding plans to make her professional boxing debut on the undercard for the Mike Tyson-Clifford Etienne fight on Feb. 22. "It is my goal to be a future, undisputed bantamweight champion," Harding said. "My proven athletic ability and competitive nature will help this dream become a reality." Said Jay Leno, "They're calling her 'The Great White Trash Hope.' " Daily shot: The Lakers have become the butt of jokes on late-night television.

All Serena Williams was missing were the shin guards. Her pre-World Cup tribute to the Cameroon national soccer team consisted of a green dress, green and yellow shoes (not cleats, of course, this being clay) and, best of all, yellow socks that were almost knee high. Her soccer awareness on the eve of the World Cup does not fully extend to the United States, as she asked whether Kobe Johnson was still playing. Close enough, she was thinking of Cobi Jones.

Tonya Harding plans to make her professional boxing debut on the undercard for the Mike Tyson-Clifford Etienne fight on Feb. 22. "It is my goal to be a future, undisputed bantamweight champion," Harding said. "My proven athletic ability and competitive nature will help this dream become a reality." Said Jay Leno, "They're calling her 'The Great White Trash Hope.' " Daily shot: The Lakers have become the butt of jokes on late-night television.

A federal appeals court declined Wednesday to bar Penthouse from redistributing photos that the magazine claimed in error to show tennis player Anna Kournikova topless. Kournikova asked a Los Angeles judge to bar Penthouse from further distribution of the photos, but he declined. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals also declined to act. The appeals court said the issue was "largely moot" because the publisher had stopped distributing that issue.

Conventional wisdom, 1998: Anna Kournikova not only will win a tournament, but she has to be considered a Grand Slam contender. Conventional wisdom, 2001. Kournikova seems destined never to win a tournament, much less contend at a Grand Slam. Conventional wisdom, 2002. Kournikova will eventually win a tournament, though Tier I aspirations are another matter, as long as Serena and Venus Williams remain interested in tennis. So, what is it?