Kournikova plans comeback

The Russian may consider surgery

Anna Kournikova is refusing to give up on her tennis career despite suffering from a chronic back injury.

The 22-year-old, who is more renowned for her modelling work than on-court successes, says the complaint is the main reason for her recent poor form.

Her only victory on the 2003 WTA Tour came in January at the Australian Open.

"I still love tennis and want to play, but I have a chronic back condition which makes it impossible to play more than week at a time," said Kournikova.

The Russian made her comments following an exhibition match against Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn in Pattaya.

"As an athlete you must expect injuries and you have to learn how to deal with it, but it is very frustrating. But I really enjoyed playing against Tammy," she added.

Kournikova said she was keen to get back to playing the level which once saw her reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon, even if that means going under the surgeon's knife.

"That is one of the options I'm looking at," she revealed. "I hate needles, but I have to look at everything."