Watch Anna's interview

Once a Wimbledon semi-finalist and world number eight, the 21-year-old Russian has now slipped to a lowly 55 in the rankings and has won just three of her last 15 matches.

Kournikova blames the slump on injuries, while some have suggested that her off-court activities are to blame.

And when the BBC's Gary Richardson suggested that Kournikova's confidence must be low after yet another defeat, she threatened to walk out of a live interview and then requested that it be restarted.

Was Richardson unfair in his line of questioning? Or is Kournikova being too sensitive?

I think that Anna Kournikova has some tennis talent. I think that what BBC did was fair. She is so used to getting her way with her looks, but this time it just didn't go her way. The media made her and the media can break her, if she is not careful.

She is losing, not just one match once in a while, but many, many matches all the time. I don't think that many other tennis players are jealous of her.

It doesn't matter how much money she makes, it will never buy her a title. And everyone knows it. Instead of babying her, I think that people should tell her how they really feel instead of smiling in her face and laughing behind her back. If she doesn't want to play tennis with the real women, then let her go and model with the dolls. But I'm not even sure she would last that long with that attitude of hers.
TM, USA

I think it's interesting that so many people have to come to defence of one player when this story would probably not even be mentioned for anyone else on the tour. Has the BBC taken all it can from Kournikova and finally snapped? I don't think Richardson's questioning was any more harsh than those he asks of any other player out there and he was - as he said - interested in some of the questions she'd already been asked at the post-match press conference.

She's promoted herself as a media darling and if she can't take the rough times with the good then she shouldn't be playing. She should quit for modeling or pack the lot in and work on her tennis but she has to decide which one to do. When Jenny Capriati went off the deep end it took her years to get clean, refocus and get on with some great tennis. Anna has to decide what's most important to her and get on with it.
CS, UK

Why do we care so much about a mediocre Women's professional tennis player? Our focus on Anna does a great injustice to the Top 20 WTA players who are making great strides for the sport.
Rich, Colorado ,USA

Why is this even a story? On the one hand tennis exploits Anna's sex appeal to create interest in a sagging sport and on the other tries to manufacture issues after a defeat. Did the intervier discuss any of the key points of the match? This was no tirade, Anna smiled through out and never raised her voice. Tennis is far more a poor sport than Anna.
Robert Fox, USA

I think the interview was disgusting. Gary Richardson epitomized everthing that is deplorable about the British press- their delight in building up stars only to crush them. By the harsh tone in his voice it was obviously a witch hunt. Yes, Anna has not reached her potential to date and undoubtably needs a shock to make her re-address her priorites, and yes she could have handled the situation better, but this type of interview was not necessary. That sarcastic mocking tone of voice would never have been used on any other player.
John, UK

If the female tour wish to be treated as equals (as they should) then trading on looks is the wrong way to go. If she can't stand the heat (millions of $ per annum included) she should get out of the kitchen.
Alan, UK

People mustn't forget that Anna has been as high as no.8 in the singles ranking and no.1 in doubles, so she is by no means a bad tennis player. In my opinion she has the skills but the confidence isn't there. Maybe a bit of work with a sports psycholgyst will do her good. Also whats wrong with having a career outside of tennis. His question was out of order, she was already upset by her defeat so how was she suppose to react.
Aimee Montgomery, Dublin, Ireland

I'd hardly call it a tantrum and I think it is unfair to label your video "Anna's Tantrum". I also think the interviewer tried to appear as though he was being fair, but he was trying to get a rise out of her.
Jason Speich, USA

Anna deserved the awkward questions which she recieved. She has the ignorance to assume that relating upon her success regarding activities else where, that it somehow gives her the right to compete yet not have to earn it! If modelling is her choice of career then she should stick to it and not embarass herself by trying to paint herself as being the perfect sportswoman!
Sarah, Great britain

John McEnroe got it right when after showing the entire interview he suggested that the BBC had dedicated too much of the round-up programme to this issue. He was clearly trying to disassociate himself from the BBC's scoop. Like him, I do not understand why we need to know the state of mind of a sports person - I watch sport on TV to marvel at others skill and athleticism, not to listen to some upstart asking inane questions. And have we not exhausted questions related to a sportperson's 'confidence'? I would suggest, from experience, there isn't one TV sport's journalist who can avoid using this word in the space of two minutes? Please BBC,l ess talk and more action.
Barry D, UK

I think the questioning was pretty harsh but fair considering the circumstances. She is the richest sportswoman in the world and yet has had no sporting success at all! She clearly doesn't need tennis, and tennis certainly does not need her. I think Pam Shriver is probably right - in the interview we saw the real Anna Kournikova.
Mike Eilbeck, UK

She needs to learn some manners and carry herself accordingly. Her true colours came out on the night - and just can't face being critisized by anyone. She needs to find a different career, and let it not be tennis.
Taryn Gobey, UK

Having listened to the interview with Anna Kournikova, I must admit that I was utterly appalled with the line of questioning by the BBC journalist.

I am no great Anna Kournikova fan, but I felt that the journalist concerned turned what could have been a perfect opportunity to discuss the match into a an even better opportunity to criticise her entire life and publicly humiliate her.

Questions about whether she wants to give up tennis or drop down a level were entirely irrelevant to the game we had just witnessed. Surely he cannot ask every tennis player who is defeated in the first round if they would consider taking another career path?

When England were knocked out of the World Cup following a disappointing performance, did Rob Bonnett ask David Beckham if he wanted to give up football and take up modelling?

No. He had more respect and realised that such a question is offensive and ludicrous. Unfortunately, this was not the case on Monday.
David Coombs, England

I think the line of questioning was very fair - tough, but very fair. What did Kournikova expect? She obviously believes the world revolves around her and that everyone should treat her like royalty, but she received a dose of reality and couldn't handle it.

The WTA is wrong to criticise the BBC, and they should not have edited the interview just to protect poor, defenceless little Anna's feelings. Well done to them for showing it in its entirety.
Craig Sykes, United Kingdom

Gary Richardson clearly went into the interview with a provocative agenda - and not exactly a sporting one. Kournikova was quite right to be offended by his line of inquiry, though she didn't handle it brilliantly.
Ian Bouncer, UK

I think everybody in tennis world is simply jealous because she makes more money than most of them. Okay, she hasn't won a single tournament, but Tim Henman hasn't achieved much either and we treat him like a king. I thought she was very patient. If I had lost a game and been asked the same questions I'd be walking out straight away.
Jo, UK

I think the questions were justified. Anna should be busy working on her game and trying to improve her world ranking of 68 instead of making music videos. She gets far more media attention than third ranked Jennifer Capriati, who is far more talented and deserves more recognition.
Bianca Lane, Canada

Anna Kournikova owes everything to professional tennis and the people who pay for it, the fans. If it wasn't for tennis, she would be just another ordinary person and could have never become a model.

When journalists pose harsh, but intriguing questions about her career, she owes it to the world to smile and politely answer. Apparently she has forgotten where she came from.
Russ W., US

How the pundits love to gloat when the golden girl fails to shine! Whatever happened to fair and objective reporting? So she's a 21-year-old with a little attitude, is that so unusual?

Hardly grounds for global humiliation! Or is it really all about the millions she earns off the court! She's still a decent tennis player and is currently ranked higher than any Brit, despite her drop in form!

The decent thing would have been for the BBC team to refrain from broadcasting Anna's post match interview and reserve their glee for Tim's wins instead of Anna's defeat.
Joe Murphy, England

It was obvious from the outset that Gary Richardson was quite hostile and rude in his manner and I can understand Miss Kournikova's annoyance. Would his attitude have been the same towards Miss Donahue or Miss Williams or any of the other ladies in the tournament? I think not.
David Holland, UK

What's wrong in the BBC reporter suggesting to Anna to try out the Satellite Circuit for a while to get her game in order? Andre Agassi did it, so did Michael Chang.
Koreed, USA

Having heard all the fuss about the interview I was most suprised by what I saw on the Wimbledon round-up last night. Good interviewers ask open questions and make no assumptions.

The BBC interviewer last night asked neither and frankly his surprise at being challenged on his questions showed that he has a lot to learn. I think it's about time that sportspeople challenged some of the very poor questions they are asked. Good for Anna for standing up for herself .
Justin Webb, England

I am no expert in tennis, but I can see that Anna needs to grow up abit and treat people how she expects to be treated!
Jon, UK

Interesting to see the UK-US split. Most of Anna's defenders are from America where sportspeople and celebrities are spoken to like royalty and straightforward questions are considered to be rude.

Here in the UK, straightforward questions are exactly that, and if that makes us rude in the eyes of our American cousins and ruffles the feathers of a prima donna or two, then so be it.
Tim, UK

The BBC's Gary Richardson ought to be ashamed of his arrogance and rude line of questioning. Anna had every right to take him to task.
Steve, Australia

Anna did herself no favours - when Martina Hingis acted like a spiolt little girl a few years ago, the press jumped all over her. Why should it be any different for another spoilt little girl?
Gill Thornton, England

Although normally a Richardson supporter, I do feel his interview displayed a singular lack of empathy towards Kournikova. Having watched the game, I felt she came back well in the second set, something of an achievement given her recent form.

Whilst the tabloid press may like to present her as an overpaid, overrated tennis "babe", I don't expect the BBC to tow the sensationalist line. I think her performance yesterday merited a little more respect and praise from Richardson. The media may have the knives out for her, but not, I expect, the majority of British tennis fans.
James D, England

When the first question is not a question but a statement about confidence, how would you expect her to react? Surely the way to get someone to open up is to ask "open questions", but Mr Richardson continued his inane line of questioning.

Miss K did not get angry but was calm after what must have been a trying match, she did not walk out but made a request, so she is hardly a spoilt brat.
David Blair, UK

The questions were directed as though one of the major favourites for the tournament had just gone out. Everybody seems to forget she was playing a seeded player and by the form quide nobody should have expected her to (and she even admitted herself she didn't expect to) win the game.

I'm not saying the questioning was unfair, but it seems to be the BBC, not Anna herself, who are taking her image first and her tennis second in their line of interviewing.
Andy Workman, UK

He wasn't unfair in his questioning and Kournikova does come across unfavourably in the interview. With her stunning looks, however, personality is of less importance in terms of her popularity. Most people will still love her.
Jim Western, England

Give me a break! First, how can anyone call that a tantrum? Second, I think you need to put this interview in context. She had just lost a very demoralizing match and was forced to sit there and be patronized by Gary. I think most would have acted in the same manner. Not a big deal! Poor form BBC. Let's move on.
Matt, USA

With all due respect to Mr. Richardson, I feel that his questioning tactics were rude, callous and uncalled for. Why is it that professional athletes should have to defend themselves on the court and off?

I am no more an Anna Kournikova fan than I am any other tennis player, but I do resent it when an interviewer thinks that he or she has the right to jump down an athlete's throat because of things that the athlete can or cannot control.
Jeff, USA

The reporter begins by telling, not asking, Anna that her confidence is low; proceeds to admit that he is not a tennis expert; and then states that he is merely trying to ask the same kind of questions that had already been asked in the press conference. The fact that Anna actually stayed in the same room showed remarkable restraint on her part.
J. Abbott, USA

I don't understand why so much attention is being given to a player who has not won a single tournament! Yes, she is good looking, so are many others. And she is not a sensational new-comer anymore.

The BBC journalist was right and we saw how arrogant she actually is and behaved like a movie star, not a sportswoman
Prasad, USA

The treatment of Anna Kournikova was very unjustified. She is one of the world's best doubles players so this must outline her ability. You also mustn't forget that she reached the semi-finals in '97.

She may make alot of money off her beauty but it was her tennis which got her in the limelight in the first place.
Stewart Walker, England

Kournikova loves all the attention she gets and she is a professional so she should be able to deal with whatever the media throw at her. She must have got used to losing by now, not a single tournament win in her career after getting to the semis of Wimbledon. The questions asked by the BBC were simple enough, she was just acting like a spoilt brat.
Phil Catt, England

This seems like a classic example of the media trying to "create" the news in order to gain publicity and sales. The reporter's "attack and retreat" tactics, designed to irritate and upset Kournikova, were subtle, yet obvious, and it's a shame that Anna is not mature or educated enough to hold her own in such an exchange.

It is also telling that the BBC has chosen not to include the original question. Anna may not be the best tennis player or the best person, but no one deserves to be manipulated and exploited when they are already going through trials.

I also find it interesting that Pam Shriver and John McEnroe, two players notorious for their on-court antics, had the nerve to join in the chorus. At least Anna has not cursed her opponents on-court.
Patrick D. Preston, USA

Very unfair treatment, in my opinion. Would the British press ask such questions if the losing player was Henman? Their reporting bias is very clear to any observer. The Kournikova interview was a very cheap shot at sensational journalism.
Proud American, USA

Give the girl a break! She just lost a close game in the tournament she obviously loves. Doing well here means a lot to her. And being bullied unfairly by such inane questions was a ploy to rile her and make her lose her composure. Apparently, they succeeded.
Lolita S, USA

I saw the interview and no they did not treat her unfairly. She played, she lost, so she has to do an interview to the hosts of the tournament. Other players have lost more important matches. Did you notice the personality change when she thought the LIVE interview had been restarted on her whim? She has to understand she is just a tennis player, not a member of government...she really should get a grip.
Luke, England

Kournikova has lost in the first round of her past four tournaments. I can understand her frustration; however, she should have developed the professionalism to handle difficult questions at this stage in her career.
Vaughan, M, USA

There was nothing unfair about it. People trust the BBC to tell the truth, not edit things to make them more flattering. Kournikova is a spoilt brat who has survived too long on looks rather than real talent.

She needs to focus if she really wants to do well, because right now it seems her heart's not in it. This row is simply an attempt to deflect the suddenly unwanted attention she's getting.
Mari Malone, UK

I am no Kournikova fan (good looks are no substitute for a good game). Richardson, however, was unfair and excessively aggresive in his questioning.
Alejandro Bonilla, USA

Though I am often annoyed by all the attention that Anna gets (much of the Serena match was not aired to instead show Anna's), I do feel for her and I do think that she was treated unfairly.

Much of the attention that she receives off the court is created by the media and creates additional pressure on her. It must be a frustrating situation to be in when you are not taken seriously in tennis for the wrong reason.
Jason, United States

Kournikova has an attitude problem, plain and simple. This is not the first time she has shown disrespect to someone and it won't be the last. Not to be unkind to Gary Richardson, but I think his questions were weak to say the least. I believe the best way to treat someone like Kournikova is to deny her the publicity she so obviously craves.
Rob, England

I think she got mad because he not only said that she has lost confidence in herself but he suggested that she should play in some smaller tournaments to gain confidence. That's adding insult to injury.

The correspondent should have spent the time trying to find out what she thinks, and what she's doing about it, rather than going around shooting his mouth off and giving his own advice to others.
Vijay Rajanala, USA

Well, well. I must say the BBC is the one looking mighty idiotic here in this interview with Anna Kournikova. She handled herself just fine and acted like a true winner. Just how cruel some humans can be towards those who are not at the top of their game.

But who cares if Anna ever is at the top of her game? I respect her for being herself, and being in the top 100 in the world. Which in fact is something she can be proud of. How many girl's on this earth can say they are in the top 100? Good going Anna, I'm with you all the way.
Tom V, USA

Having just watched the interview, a few words do spring to mind about Anna Kournikova. "Diva" and "Sore Loser" come to mind. She may have obtained fame through her 'tennis' skills, and also as a pin-up, but the behaviour in the interview was not acceptable at all.

If she thinks that interviewer was bad, try Jeremy Paxman, mate! She lost and she's just too stubborn to admit it. It's a shame that her 'tennis' skills do not match her looks, which she has obviously played upon in the past to earn her money. Go back, grow up and learn to play tennis!
Tobias, UK

Ms Kournikova should have been able to deal with his questions better. The fact that she seemed so ill at ease speaks volumes about her current difficulties.

The numbers who wish her well are huge. But she has to take some responsibility if she truly wants to sort herself out
Rich Gilchrist, UK

Anna Kournikova's steady decline in the rankings over the year clearly points to her missing concentration in the big games. Tennis is a different ball game altogether and it's more about determination, hard work and confidence.

Her recent media behaviour shows that she is lacking all these qualities. Maybe, she can continue to win in her off-the-field engagements but certainly not on the tennis court.
Balamurugan R, USA