Kournikova Marriage a Rumor, Says Her Father

July 23 -- If you were despondent over the news that Russian tennis hottie Anna Kournikova is married, well, chin up. The court pinup's father insists that news that his daughter has tied the knot is just a rumor.

British newspaper The Sun reported today that Kournikova had married her longtime boyfriend, ice hockey player Sergei Fedorov, in a secret ceremony in Moscow during Wimbledon earlier this month.

Sergei Kournikov told Reuters by telephone today, "To be honest with you, I am sick and tired with the calls about her marriage. Last year it was [Pavel] Bure, now it's Fedorov.

"Anna is in Florida at the moment and has begun training. Only yesterday I spoke with her on the phone and I think she would be very surprised to hear about this latest rumor," he said.

Continued Kournikov, "She hasn't been in Moscow since last year's Kremlin Cup [tennis tournament] in November."

The Sun quoted Fedorov's mother, Natalya, as saying, "It was a lovely ceremony. I am very happy to be Anna's mother-in-law."

When told about the quote, Kournikov said, "I don't know how Fedorov's mother would say anything about a marriage of my daughter because as far as I know, she lives in Detroit." Fedorov plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL.

Kournikova, 20, has been out of action since February with a stress fracture of her left foot. Her agent said Kournikova would not resume playing until she was completely fit.

Last year, The Mirror, another British tabloid, said that Kournikova was engaged to another Russian hockey ace, Pavel Bure, who plays for the NHL's Florida Panthers. Both later denied the report.

Reuters contributed to this story.