The Legs says she's fine

Daniela Hantuchova: concerns about her weight

She and her coach insist that it is all a matter of finding the right balance between eating and exercise.

Others claim that Daniela Hantuchova looks like a classic anorexic.

Yesterday, observers who watched the 20-year-old Slovakian warm up on the practice courts at Eastbourne prior to next week's Wimbledon were shocked by her appearance.

'She seems to be getting thinner all the time,' said one. 'She is a lot thinner in the face, but the most obvious sign is in her arms and legs. They just look really thin.'

A year ago at the same tournament, Miss Hantuchova, ranked nine in the world and seeded nine at Wimbledon, lived up to her double billings as The Legs from Slovakia and The Babe from Bratislava.

Mounting fears about her weight loss after she was beaten in the French Open were compounded when she arrived at the World Championships Dinner in Paris two weeks ago looking particularly waif-like.

Yesterday, those 44in legs seemed too slender for her 5ft 11in frame, while her ribs stood out between her crop top and shorts.

The deep-set eyes suggested a new nickname, Hauntuchova. Tomorrow, the eyes of the tennis world will be on her at Eastbourne as she steps out to play her first competitive singles match after receiving a bye into the second round.

Miss Hantuchova, who has admitted that her 8st 11lb weight is too light and has begun a new diet to remedy the problem, insisted after her loss at the French Open: 'There is no health issue at all.

'I'm really blessed that I can eat whatever I want.

'It's just that I was working really hard before this season because I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I just burned more calories than I got in my body.'


Her British coach, Nigel Sears, admitted recently that Miss Hantuchova lost weight ' alarmingly quickly' but dismissed fears that her problem was serious.

'She is not anorexic,' he said. 'She is fit and strong, but she is burning more calories than she is taking in.

'I would like to feel that by Eastbourne and Wimbledon there will be a difference.'

Judging by yesterday's showing, he may have to wait a little longer.

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