Anna Kournikova is proud to see so many Russians succeeding at Wimbledon - a group she thinks she blazed a trail for.
Former star says she set precedent for current group of players
Anna Kournikova believes she blazed a trail for the current crop of successful Russian players in women's tennis.
Kournikova, who is playing invitational doubles at Wimbledon, caused a shock when reaching the semi-finals at the All England Club as a 16-year-old in 1997.
Although her own career eventually fizzled out after that run, several Russian women have since propelled themselves to the top of the game, with Maria Sharapova taking the title at SW19 six years ago.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Kournikova relocated to the famous Nick Bollettieri academy and many of her compatriots have since followed in her footsteps and trained overseas.
"I was the first one after the Soviet Union to leave Russia, to be able to practise in better circumstances, in a better environment, to go to the academy at a young age," she said.
Training
"Before that, we still had great players. We had (Elena) Likhovtseva, (Elena) Makarova, who were top 20, 30, 50. They were there. They just weren't as noticeable.
"We always had an amazing tennis school and clubs in Russia.
"It's just the opportunities never were really there when it was still the Soviet Union for them to travel. Everything was controlled by the Federation.
"I think once the kids and the parents saw I was the first one to kind of get out, they realised that there is that opportunity to be able to travel, to be able to go outside and compete internationally."
Vera Zvonareva will represent Russia in the women's semi-finals at this year's Wimbledon after the 25-year-old defeated Kim Clijsters in three sets on Tuesday.
Kournikova says she is proud to see so many of her countrywomen succeeding in the tough environment of the WTA Tour.
Talent
She added: "I'm looking at all our girls. I'm so proud.
"It's so cool they're able to showcase their talents, they're able to travel, they're able to make a great living, to do what they love to do, keep all of their prize-money.
"During the Soviet Union, you had to share all of it with the Federation and everybody. I'm just so proud of the girls.
"Tennis is a grind. I think women in general don't get enough credit.
"It's a full-time job, it's 24/7. You're week-in, week-out on the road for 10, 11 months out of the year.
"You have no personal life. You have no home life. It's very difficult. It's not glamorous at all as a lot of people think."
