Kournikova’s coming

Love at first sound.

Once some of the media members heard Anna Kournikova’s voice during a conference call Wednesday hyping her return to the World TeamTennis Pro League, they showered her with love.

Makes sense for fans, but journalists? Yes, practically everyone fell in love with the Russian bombshell during her debut at the U.S. Open in 1996, but that’s all.

Nothing more than love. Sort of like her singles career in which she never won a major tournament. The retired pro is stuck at love, and on the second question a reporter asked about her upcoming schedule with the Sacramento Capitals.

Kournikova has three appearances, the second against the Newport Beach Breakers at Breakers Stadium on July 6.

Back to the question. It caught the 5-foot-8, 123-pound blonde, known more for her modeling shots than her serve, forehand, backhand, volley, drop, and lob shots, off guard.

“You only played one game last year,” the reporter said. “Is the schedule a little better for you this year?”

“One game?” said Kournikova, sounding confused. “What do you mean?”

Tennis tricked Kournikova, 26. She could’ve fooled the sport’s hardcore fans about her tennis game. Games are part of sets, sets are part of matches. Wait. This is about tennis, not her next photo shoot, right?

“Did you play just one match last year?” the reporter asked.

“No,” Kournikova said. “I actually played, I think, four last year. Was it three or four, I think?”

Who really cares? Just show up and the masses will come.

Then someone asked if the event works well with her schedule. She went off about working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, making speeches, releasing a new DVD with the Cartoon Network, and promoting her upcoming athletic gear.

“It’s called K-Swiss for working out,” she said, “or like going to the gym, playing tennis, doing yoga.”

Kournikova says she’s been doing a lot of those activities. As for plans of making it back on the pro tour. None. It didn’t matter to a couple of Sacramento-based journalists.

Before and after asking Kournikova questions, the two said, “We look forward to having you out here” and “We’re looking forward to you coming to Sacramento again.”

“Well, thank you,” Kournikova responded to the duo sounding like it worked for the city. One sounded unnerved that Kournikova had to practice in the Sacramento heat.

“I can’t believe we make you practice,” he said.

“Oh, why? What do you mean?” Kournikova said, sounding confused again.

“You shouldn’t have to practice in this heat,” he said.

“That’s fine,” Kournikova said. “I practice in the heat all the time [in Miami]. No big deal.

“I love the heat.”

The media loves Kournikova even when she doesn’t win.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].