Tennis player Anna Kournikova is not being considered for a role in the latest Bond movie, the film's producers have said.

The Russian athlete, famous for her good looks as well as her tennis abilities, was reported to be in talks with producers about a possible role as a "Bond girl", according to the Express newspaper.

But a spokeswoman for Eon Productions told BBC News Online that the story was absolutely untrue.

Kournikova has limited acting experience, appearing in a cameo role in the Jim Carrey comedy, Me Myself & Irene.

Shooting

The spokeswoman added: "We do not now where this story has come from but it is not true.

"The film is in pre-production and we are casting but Anna Kournikova has not been in any talks with us."

The 20th Bond movie is expected to start shooting in January 2002, with Pierce Brosnan reprising the role of the British secret agent.

The list of so-called "Bond girls" is a roster of international names, which includes Ursula Andress, Jayne Seymour, Grace Jones, Honor Blackman, Michelle Yeoh and Diana Rigg.