Kournikova to sue over topless pictures

Anna Kournikova was in Paris last week for a presentation of the Omega watch company's new jewel collection. AP

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Topless photos of Anna Kournikova appearing in the June issue of Penthouse magazine which hits the news stands on Tuesday are fake, say representatives of the Russian tennis player.

Kournikova's agent David Schwab told Reuters on Monday that the pictures, which are part of a 10-page spread, were not of his client, as Penthouse says, and said the Russian player would file a lawsuit against the magazine.

"The photographs are so dissimilar to Miss Kournikova that anyone who knows her, when they see the photos, will immediately know that the magazine did it on purpose to exploit her and make some additional money," said Schwab.

"We asked and they [Penthouse] never sent us any photos.

"The publisher was out promoting the fact they had Miss Kournikova in their magazine, we asked to see a copy of the photos and we never received them."

Penthouse denies having had any contact with Kournikova's agents or lawyers and stands by the authenticity of the pictures which it says were taken in the South Beach area of Miami near the tennis player's home.

The magazine would not say how much it paid for the pictures, which were obtained from a freelance photographer.

"All I can tell you is that right now Penthouse is confident that these pictures are genuine," said Penthouse spokesman Michael Moi. "My understanding is that the photographer came to Penthouse with these pictures.

"I don't personally have any knowledge of Miss Kournikova's lawyers contacting the magazine."

Schwab says Kournikova's lawyers sent a letter to Penthouse last Friday and were in the process of filing a lawsuit. He would not say how much the 20-year-old Russian, who is playing in Bol, Croatia, this week, is seeking in damages.

While Kournikova remains one of the world's most photographed and recognizable celebrities, earning millions of dollars in endorsements and sponsorship, she has yet to make her mark on the tennis court and has played more than 100 tournaments without winning a singles title.

 

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