'Next Kournikova' Violetta Degtiareva Dies During Tennis Training
At 23, she was one of the highest-earning players in the world.
Tennis suffered a major blow recently when Violetta Degtiareva died during a training session. Regarded as the next Anna Kournikova, the 23-year-old reportedly suffered a heart failure on court.
The Russian player was recently ranked 1086 as a singles player but had already begun enjoying a celebrity-status. The tragic news of her death was revealed in a Facebook post by her friend and fellow tennis player Anastasia Vdovenco.
Degtiareva made headlines for her on-court skills as well as her good looks. Many felt she had the potential to do what Kournikova did years ago - combine tennis abilities with pretty looks to make headlines world over. In fact, Degtiareva was already one of the highest-earning players on International Tennis Federation pro circuit. Her death - on January 12 - has therefore cut short what could have been a glowing career.
Tennis suffered a major blow recently when Violetta Degtiareva died during a training session. Regarded as the next Anna Kournikova, the 23-year-old reportedly suffered a heart failure on court.
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The Russian player was recently ranked 1086 as a singles player but had already begun enjoying a celebrity-status. The tragic news of her death was revealed in a Facebook post by her friend and fellow tennis player Anastasia Vdovenco.
Degtiareva made headlines for her on-court skills as well as her good looks. Many felt she had the potential to do what Kournikova did years ago - combine tennis abilities with pretty looks to make headlines world over. In fact, Degtiareva was already one of the highest-earning players on International Tennis Federation pro circuit. Her death - on January 12 - has therefore cut short what could have been a glowing career.