Kournikova's battle for credibility

Kournikova has failed to trouble rivals on court

The jury reached its verdict a long time ago - Anna Kournikova is a distinctly average tennis player.

But another fact remains set in stone - she is tennis' most marketable asset - her latest achievement coming when she was voted the world's sexiest woman in a magazine poll.

Does she care about her lacklustre results on court when ushering in millions of pounds in contracts each year? Probably not overly.

While the Williams sisters are busy talking about which sister will win the next Grand Slam, Kournikova is marketing everything from bras to watches.

She has toyed with the screen, appearing alongside Jim Carrey in Me, Myself and Irene and more recently in Enrique Iglesias' Escape video.

Kournikova has advertised a range of products

A much-publicised part as a Bond girl was dismissed by the films producers but other high-profile roles are expected to follow.

Whatever comes next for Kournikova, the payout is expected to be higher than that of any of her on-court rivals.

And all that despite the fact that she is a player of undiscovered potential - she has yet to win a singles title on the WTA Tour.

Injuries have played their part but the simple fact is Kournikova has spent more time ensuring her place on billboards and TV adverts across the globe than living up to her billing, by revered coach Nick Bolletierri, as a shotmaker to rival John McEnroe.

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Since reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon as a 16-year-old, little has gone right for her in the singles world of women's tennis.

While formerly ranked as number one in doubles tennis, in tournaments she has regularly fallen foul of lesser-known players.

The argument remains whether her place in the sport remains a good thing.

Resentment has been sent her way from fellow professionals including America's Corina Morariu.

Too many opponents have seen the back of Kournikova

Morariu said: "She gets so much attention as opposed to other players that have had equal or even better results.

"But she's a beautiful girl and that's going to draw attention. That's the real world."

Chris Evert, who arguably set the trend as one of the first marketable "glamour" girls of the sport, lived up to her high profile in the game with a series of Grand Slam titles.

She, though, believes Kournikova is a good thing for the sport.

Evert said: "She's a gorgeous young woman who's very fit and works hard at her profession. I think she's good for tennis."

Whatever people's opinions, Kournikova remains a face that sailed a thousand advertising campaigns rather than one that triggered an impressive career as a tennis professional.

Her doubles efforts - she has won a total of 15 doubles titles - show that perhaps there is some talent there screaming to come out.

Or that, with Martina Hingis as her usual partner, she has picked the right pairing to save face.