Just as Philadelphia-area adult male tennis fans are quite familiar with Anna Kournikova, the photogenic Russian knows the City of Brotherly Love and its vocal spectators well.

Kournikova, the sport's glamour girl in the 1990s and early part of this decade, competed in the Advanta Championships at the Convention Center and, later, Villanova. In 2003, playing for the Kansas City Explorers, she made a World Team Tennis appearance at Cabrini College in Radnor.

One of the highlights of her professional career came in 2000, when she teamed with Martina Hingis to claim the Advanta doubles title at Villanova.

"Philadelphia has an amazing tennis community due to the [Advanta] tournament that had been going on there for years," Kournikova said. "It was always one of the strongest fields because it was right before the [season-ending Women's Tennis Association] championships in November."

The 28-year-old Kournikova, a Miami Beach resident, had been preparing for her seventh WTT season and second with the St. Louis Aces. However, she was forced to withdraw for the season due to severe tenosynovitis in her left wrist.

Still, the former ponytailed prodigy will be in town today for the first of the Aces' two road matches against Billie Jean King's Philadelphia Freedoms. Kim Clijsters is slated to headline the St. Louis roster July 22. Home contests are held at a 3,000-seat temporary stadium at the King of Prussia Mall.

The WTT, cofounded by King, began in 1974 and is now in its 34th season. The league features a colored court, blaring music, instant replay, and coaching challenges, and it permits cheering before, during, and after points.

"You get to see every single part of tennis," said Kournikova, who played her last WTA Tour match in 2003. "You get to see men's singles, women's singles, doubles, mixed doubles, everything. The interaction with the fans is awesome. It's like a big Davis Cup party. It's always fun when it's a team atmosphere."

Before today's contest against the Freedoms, Kournikova, ranked as high as No. 8 in singles during her pro career, will be part of a meet-and-greet function at 6 p.m. at Morton's Steakhouse at the King of Prussia Mall. Tickets cost $100 and include a drink, snacks, and a reserved ticket for the match. She will not play in the 7:30 p.m. match.

To mark the WTT season, the King of Prussia Mall has created an online contest titled "The Match Point Challenge." Fans can visit www.kingofprussiamall.com and make predictions on matches (the number of aces, double faults, etc.). Winners will be eligible for gift cards, gift bags, and merchandise.

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.