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ANNA KOURNIKOVA SWAPS THE COURT FOR THE CATWALK


On 4 December 2002
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With a reputation as one of the most beautiful women in tennis, it's no surprise blonde bombshell Anna Kournikova held her own alongside a bevy of gorgeous supermodels on a charity fashion show runway in Dublin on Wednesday night.

But as glamour queen Sophie Dahl, Victoria's Secret beauty Tyra Banks and statuesque stunner Jodie Kidd went to work showcasing designer creations without a hitch, the tennis superstar looked as though she would stumble over the hem of her floaty Escada couture gown. Anna – obviously a good sport – delighted the crowd by simply gathering up the flowing fabric and flashing that famous smile.

Fellow tennis divas Venus and Serena Williams and Daniela Hantuchova also had a chance to strut their stuff for the charity event, which was to benefit Chernobyl Children's Project. However, the fashionable athletes' runway success doesn't mean they're giving up their careers in sports – the event was all part of the run-up to the inaugural Collins Cup, billed as the women's tennis equivalent of golf's Ryder Cup.

The three-day event, the brainchild of former Ireland tennis player Sean Collins, pits Europe against the US in a series of exhibition matches. "When we were pulling the idea together, I thought back to my playing days and realised that one thing I lacked was a bit of fun," said Sean. "Our ethos was to integrate three elements, tennis, fashion and music, and make it something to enjoy."

Photo: © Alphapress.com
Anna Kournikova lifts the hem of her floaty gown as she sets flashbulbs popping at the Trilogy charity fashion show in DublinPhoto: © Reuters
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Supermodels Sophie Dahl and Tyra Banks shared the Dublin catwalk with tennis stars, but won't be hitting the courts for the followup sporting event, the Collins CupPhoto: © Reuters