[Lillie_Steins]

To that extent, it's a fair comparison. I'd say that Anna Kournikova is far more successful than Danica Patrick. On the other hand, Danica is going up against men in a male-dominated sport whereas Anna is playing against women.

I dont think Kournikova's success, compared to Patrick's, can be considered 'far more'.

What the hell did Kournikova ever do on her own? Other than market herself for endorsement deals and tank in any tournament she ever played in and after that, she retired.

At the very least, Patrick STILL is trying to make a name for herself as an open wheel race car driver and now a stock car driver.

[Ambrakam]

I dont think Kournikova's success, compared to Patrick's, can be considered 'far more'.

What the hell did Kournikova ever do on her own? Other than market herself for endorsement deals and tank in any tournament she ever played in and after that, she retired.

At the very least, Patrick STILL is trying to make a name for herself as an open wheel race car driver and now a stock car driver.

If Danica was going to succeed in Indy Car, I think she'd have done it by now.

The only thing I can think is that her stock car experience makes indy a little easier for her. Many who have "made the switch" have said the stock cars are MUCH more difficult. They're heavier, and they require a lot more attention.

I suppose we'll see. In the end, I don't envision her EVER being good enough to start a NASCAR Cup race. Just won't happen.

[skiboyx]

If Danica was going to succeed in Indy Car, I think she'd have done it by now.

The only thing I can think is that her stock car experience makes indy a little easier for her. Many who have "made the switch" have said the stock cars are MUCH more difficult. They're heavier, and they require a lot more attention.

I suppose we'll see. In the end, I don't envision her EVER being good enough to start a NASCAR Cup race. Just won't happen.

I dont care if Patrick succeeds or not.

Bottom line, though, is that she brings in more viewers (and buzz), first to Indy car racing and now at stock car racing. That translates to more revenue from advertisers.

Moreso than Kournikova could ever hope to.

Also, Patrick's success (or lack of it) is affected by a myriad more factors than just her driving skill (remember her going up pit lane and the driver pulled right out into her?)

Whearas, Kournikova's 'success' had more to do with her lack of serve and lack of desire to improve that and other areas.

[voksveta]

I'm still not sure why everyone is hating on Kournikova. So she was never the best female tennis player in the world. She was certainly top 10-20 for a while. That's quite an accomplishment. Of course, it's easy for people on the internet to belittle others when we don't have half the skill that they do at any given craft.

Furthermore, as I already mentioned, Kournikova won plenty of doubles championships. If you're going to say that doesn't count -- well race car drivers have pit crews who can often make the difference in a race.

[Idorsearogele]

I'm still not sure why everyone is hating on Kournikova. So she was never the best female tennis player in the world. She was certainly top 10-20 for a while. That's quite an accomplishment. Of course, it's easy for people on the internet to belittle others when we don't have half the skill that they do at any given craft.

Furthermore, as I already mentioned, Kournikova won plenty of doubles championships. If you're going to say that doesn't count -- well race car drivers have pit crews who can often make the difference in a race.

Let me get this straight. Kournikova's lack of success as a singles player and her failure to live up to the expectations her, and others, had for her, is now considered as belittling her?

Fine, she won 'plenty of doubles championships' and yes, pit crews can make the difference, but to compare the number of variables involved between winning a race and a tennis tournament, directly or indirectly, its not even a contest as to which has a limitless number of possiblities of things that can go wrong.

[AngelinaLip]

Let me get this straight. Kournikova's lack of success as a singles player and her failure to live up to the expectations her, and others, had for her, is now considered as belittling her?

Fine, she won 'plenty of doubles championships' and yes, pit crews can make the difference, but to compare the number of variables involved between winning a race and a tennis tournament, directly or indirectly, its not even a contest as to which has a limitless number of possiblities of things that can go wrong.

It seems like everyone is acting like Kournikova sucked at tennis. She was pretty good -- but she also happened to play at time where women's singles was extremely competitive. Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, The Williams Sisters, and Justine Henin, to name a few, won a large number of the championships during Kournikova's window of opportunity. Throw in some pretty damn good players like Jennifer Capriati, Amelie Mauresmo, and Kim Clijsters -- Kournikova was up against a lot of competition.

Sure -- Kournikova was knocked out by her fair share of shitty players but I still think people hold Kournikova to a higher standard than a lot of tennis players just because she was so hot and famous.

[Pcodaygs]

I dont care if Patrick succeeds or not.

Bottom line, though, is that she brings in more viewers (and buzz), first to Indy car racing and now at stock car racing. That translates to more revenue from advertisers.

Moreso than Kournikova could ever hope to.

Also, Patrick's success (or lack of it) is affected by a myriad more factors than just her driving skill (remember her going up pit lane and the driver pulled right out into her?)

Whearas, Kournikova's 'success' had more to do with her lack of serve and lack of desire to improve that and other areas.

You don't really think more people are going to turn on the TV to watch a female race car driver in a car with a helmet on, over a female tennis player in a short skirt, do you?

Not to mention mentioning Danica and Anna in the same breath in terms of looks is laughable.

Danica is a good looking woman. Anna was/is a supermodel looking woman.

[Extinimot]

It seems like everyone is acting like Kournikova sucked at tennis. She was pretty good -- but she also happened to play at time where women's singles was extremely competitive. Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, The Williams Sisters, and Justine Henin, to name a few, won a large number of the championships during Kournikova's window of opportunity. Throw in some pretty damn good players like Jennifer Capriati, Amelie Mauresmo, and Kim Clijsters -- Kournikova was up against a lot of competition.

Sure -- Kournikova was knocked out by her fair share of shitty players but I still think people hold Kournikova to a higher standard than a lot of tennis players just because she was so hot and famous.

Don't forget one of the best women's tennis players ever. Steffi Graf.

[Chiquita]

It seems like everyone is acting like Kournikova sucked at tennis. She was pretty good -- but she also happened to play at time where women's singles was extremely competitive. Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, The Williams Sisters, and Justine Henin, to name a few, won a large number of the championships during Kournikova's window of opportunity. Throw in some pretty damn good players like Jennifer Capriati, Amelie Mauresmo, and Kim Clijsters -- Kournikova was up against a lot of competition.

Sure -- Kournikova was knocked out by her fair share of shitty players but I still think people hold Kournikova to a higher standard than a lot of tennis players just because she was so hot and famous.

Just like Patrick only to other race car drivers.

[mv37afnr]

Just like Patrick only to other race car drivers.

Somewhat. Little E gets the same kind of treatment from some of the drivers b/c he's not his daddy, is the most popular racer in the sport, and despite all the advantages he has at his disposal, he's been a failure (in the eyes of some).

Getting lapped only 17 laps in the race is impressive though. Is she taking advice from Kyle Petty?

[OGOGOogoloshennya]

Somewhat. Little E gets the same kind of treatment from some of the drivers b/c he's not his daddy, is the most popular racer in the sport, and despite all the advantages he has at his disposal, he's been a failure (in the eyes of some).

Getting lapped only 17 laps in the race is impressive though. Is she taking advice from Kyle Petty?

Finishing fourth at Indy in her first race there was, too. And, I believe, she was pretty close to the top 5 when she was ran into coming down pit row in another race there.

[IrrettelatWet]

Finishing fourth at Indy in her first race there was, too. And, I believe, she was pretty close to the top 5 when she was ran into coming down pit row in another race there.

Well, for lack of a better term, I do think it takes balls for her to compete in a male dominated sport.

[connandoilee]

Well, for lack of a better term, I do think it takes balls for her to compete in a male dominated sport.

So do I. And, I think, her success will be in open wheel racing. Its more suited to her. Especially, physically. She does have an advantage in her being a female in those cars.

Definitely at a disadvantage in stock car racing, though. But she still giving it a go.

I say more power (pardon the pun) to her. Her being . . . easy on the eye . . . is just a bonus. Especially for her.

[Psymoussy]

Actually, you're completely wrong. Anna Kournikova has multiple doubles championships.

She would have had to do those with somebody else playing next to her.

...kinda like having Danica have another driver drive her car...so no, Anna didn't win anything on her own.

[oliverlogo]

Agreed, Anna fared better in her sport than Danica has thus far in hers.

Kournikova's retired for the most part from any real competition (and the four majors).

Danica's not.

[snislarne]

I'm still not sure why everyone is hating on Kournikova. So she was never the best female tennis player in the world. She was certainly top 10-20 for a while. That's quite an accomplishment. Of course, it's easy for people on the internet to belittle others when we don't have half the skill that they do at any given craft.

Furthermore, as I already mentioned, Kournikova won plenty of doubles championships. If you're going to say that doesn't count -- well race car drivers have pit crews who can often make the difference in a race.

Pit crews don't drive the cars.

Not the same as a doubles victory where more than one player is contributing.

[fapourfasiark]

Don't forget one of the best women's tennis players ever. Steffi Graf.

Steffi Graf wasn't- and isn't- seen the same as Kournikova or Patrick. One reason; her nose.

She did some modelnig- and apeared in SI- but wasn't anywhere near as photoged as either of the women being discussed hee (Anna K or D Patrick).

Anna K.'s somebody who was more hype than pay out and *never* paid out on any singles title.

[Blaxastij]

Steffi Graf wasn't- and isn't- seen the same as Kournikova or Patrick. One reason; her nose.

She did some modelnig- and apeared in SI- but wasn't anywhere near as photoged as either of the women being discussed hee (Anna K or D Patrick).

Anna K.'s somebody who was more hype than pay out and *never* paid out on any singles title.

Wasn't/isn't Anna K turned into arm candy for a number of hockey players?

[casinobonyanes]

Wasn't/isn't Anna K turned into arm candy for a number of hockey players?

I think shes been married to singer Enrique Iglesias (sp?) for a number of years now. At least five, I believe.

[Heessduernbub]

I think shes been married to singer Enrique Iglesias (sp?) for a number of years now. At least five, I believe.

Before him she was into hockey players. I remember Sergei Fedorov for some time, and then there was at least one more after him.