Former Wimbledon champions, including John McEnroe and Virginia Wade, believe that Russian pin-up Anna Kournikova needs to face up to her serious on-court problems.
The 21-year-old, who has never won a WTA tournament, was beaten on the opening day of this year’s Wimbledon in three sets by compatriot Tatiana Panova and then threw a tantrum during an interview with the BBC’s Garry Richardson.
When Richardson suggested that Kournikova’s confidence must be low after yet another defeat, the Russian threatened to walk out of a live interview and then requested that it be restarted.
”It’s clear it’s time for some serious reassessment,” said three-time Wimbledon champion McEnroe.
”Her nerves are shot, she has no confidence and she’s not in shape. If she’s telling you otherwise, she’s kidding herself.”
Britain’s last Wimbledon singles champion Wade agreed Kournikova needed to ”face up to her problems”.
Wade, who also works as a BBC commentator, said: ”She has lost her confidence and I don’t think she is facing her problems.
”She is absolutely in denial. I have always thought that.”
”On Monday she had some patches where I thought she was so tight hitting the ball and choking so badly that she almost needed to be hypnotised to play properly. She is a mess on the court.”
The 1977 Wimbledon women’s champion said that Kournikova does work hard at her game, and she does not believe the Russian’s high-profile off-field activities were affecting her tennis training.
”Anna is one of the hardest workers you are ever going to find, which most people don’t comprehend.
”She has her moods and you stay well clear of her when she’s like that because you’re not going to win.
”That same sort of defiance is all part of the same syndrome.She’s not accepting the problem, but snuffing it out.”
Former Wimbledon doubles champion Pam Shriver added: ”It’s a real problem for Anna because her tennis is absolutely horrendous right now.
”The last thing she needs is for her personality and whole reputation to have a big strike against it and obviously that interview didn’t help.” – Sapa-AFP