Tennis Star Anna Kournikova Joins NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' for Season 12

Renowned tennis star and certified trainer Anna Kournikova will join NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser" for season 12 as the show's newest trainer. Her addition to "The Biggest Loser" team is one of many exciting changes for season 12 of the show, which will premiere in September 2011 on NBC.

As a former World #1 doubles player and #8 singles player, a healthy lifestyle has always been an integral part of Kournikova's life and she is honored to have the opportunity to help contestants - and motivate viewers - to get fit and healthy. "I'm so excited to be a part of "The Biggest Loser" team; I've always been a fan of the show," said Kournikova. "As a former professional tennis player and certified trainer, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to share my enthusiasm for staying fit across America's homes. I'm honored to join a program that embraces the values of a healthy lifestyle and is committed to fighting obesity. I look forward to the upcoming season and seeing the results we can achieve together!"

"We couldn't be more excited about Anna joining 'The Biggest Loser' family," said Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming and Specials, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "She is a fierce competitor and an accomplished athlete, and we are confident that she will be a powerful motivator to contestants to get fit and healthy."

Kournikova was born in Moscow, Russia, and her passion for tennis and being active began at the age of five when she picked up her first tennis racquet. In 1990, at the age of eight, she started playing competitively and at age 13, she secured the #1 singles ranking and was crowned the ITF World Champion. Her meteoric rise continued after she turned pro in 1995, and in 1998, she broke into the world's top 20 at #16.

She ended 1999 with a year-end ranking of #12 in singles and #1 in doubles, and ended 2000 as #8 in singles and #4 in doubles. Kournikova has defeated many of the world's top players who have competed on the women's tour, including Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, Steffi Graff, Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis. These impressive wins, along with her consistent top 10 rankings, two Grand Slam doubles titles at the 1999 and 2002 Australian Open, and three Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Finals, have proven her ability to excel in both singles and doubles on the WTA Tour.

Off the court, Kournikova's passion for health and fitness is reflected in her work for children through various global organizations. She has worked with the Boys & Girls Club of America on programs that promote an active lifestyle, and helped launch Cartoon Network's "Move it Movement" campaign to get kids active during summer months. She also worked with PSI, which focuses on children's health around the world. In addition, as an active participant in the USO, she has gone to various military bases around the world to meet the troops and speak to children about staying healthy and active.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3Ball Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "Ugly Betty"), Dave Broome ("Shedding For The Wedding," "Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope"), JD Roth ("MasterChef," "Flying Wild Alaska"), Todd A. Nelson ("Unan1mous," "Beauty and the Geek"), Howard T. Owens ("MasterChef," "The Buried Life") and Todd Lubin ("30 Days," "Nashville Star") serve as executive producers.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.