19 MARCH 2004
Enrique Iglesias and his tennis star girlfriend Anna Kournikova took time out this week from their Australia trip – where he is touring and Anna is acting as guide – to bring a little excitement to some poorly children.

The glamorous pair dropped by Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital on Friday after nurses from the medical facility contacted the children's charity TLC For Kids. Keen to meet the couple, youthful patient Priscilla Mallis had urged her carers to get in touch with the organisation which aims to grant the wishes of ailing children.

Priscilla's wish came true when the celebrity duo – who have been surrounded by rumours over whether the champagne coloured Australian diamond the Russian player has been sporting recently is an engagement ring – visited the ward. And other youngsters also got to share in the moment as Anna and Enrique took time to chat and sign autographs for all of the children.

Jetting in to kick off his first Australian tour, Enrique was especially forthcoming over his relationship with the stunning blonde. "When I'm with Anna, it's the best time of my life," he said. "She is a beautiful person inside and out. She's great, she's fun, she's adventurous, she's energetic, she's crazy and she's up for anything.

He also pointed out how attractive he found her down-to-earth sportiness. "She is athletic, which I think any guy that is into sports and doing crazy things loves," he said, adding: "It's always cool to be with someone who is not prissy, and not afraid to break a nail."