Malaysia excites Russian star Anna

2009/11/22

Anna Kournikova

WHAT a whirlwind trip halfway across the world and back in four days! I was in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26 to promote 'The Showdown of Champions 2009', an all Russian v Asia Women's tennis exhibition that is to take place on Dec 19-20.

As you guys know it's very important for me to continue supporting tennis, so I always love the opportunity to promote the game whenever I can.

After many travel delays I finally touched ground in Malaysia. I was just so happy to make it, for a while there I was really worried that we weren't going to arrive at all!

I had heard so many great things about the country and the Malaysian hospitality so I was excited to finally be there and visit a place I had never been to before.

First on the schedule was the event launch and press conference at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, I was amazed by the size of this shopping centre. I also did a photo-op in front of the Pavilion at the Crystal Fountain, I would have loved to have seen it lit up at night; it was such a beautiful sight.

From the Pavilion I went to visit and speak to a group of young tennis players, it was great to see how much some of the local kids were involved in tennis and had such a passion for the sport.

They had great questions and I really enjoyed spending time with them. This was definitely one of the highlights of my day.

In between tennis and the dinner, I went back to the hotel to do a few photo-ops and press interviews. Finally I was off to wrap up my visit at the event hosted dinner. It was at the most beautiful roof top restaurant in the centre of the city.

While I was only in Kuala Lumpur for such a short time, it was well worth the travel time to get there. I definitely plan on going back to spend some time there and explore more of the country!"