Kournikova has sexy new rival

"I don't have a boyfriend at the moment," Hantuchova told ace. "I have no time for that right now. Maybe after I stop playing tennis." But she does worry about making the right impression when she's playing. Hantuchova, coached by former Lawn Tennis Association coach Nigel Sears, added: "I always try to look my best on court and I do care about how I look. It is very flattering to be chosen as the sexiest player, but the most important thing is how I perform on the court."

That's in stark contrast to Kournikova, who says she would rather lose tennis matches than her femininity. She said: "I hate my muscles. I am feminine and don't want to look like Venus Williams."

Earlier this month, sportswear giants adidas told Kournikova that her £2 million contract would be under threat unless she started winning trophies to go with her looks. She is reported to have already made £10m from sponsors and advertising but adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer said: "She will have to train harder and hopefully win her first tournament. More sporting success is vital for her to be taken seriously."

Worryingly for Kournikova, it is the second year running that she has finished runner-up in the Sex List.

Last year, Austrian Barbara Schett was voted No1. The 26-year-old blonde earned thousands of pounds as a result of the poll and, with Kournikova out with an injured foot, was the centre of attention at last year's Wimbledon.

She's only third this time around, however, in a poll which interestingly doesn't include either of the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, in the top 10.

In the men's singles, the No1 spot went to 22-year-old New Yorker James Blake, who has already been nicknamed Modelito and GQ Guy by his rivals after doing a series of photo shoots for fashion magazines. He beat Spain's Carlos Moya and Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.

Last year's No 1, Australian Patrick Rafter, could only manage eighth spot.

Dominic Bliss, editor of ace, explained how they put the list together. "We asked a panel of men and women, which included ace magazine employees, journalists and employees from the LTA," he said. "The players were judged for their facial and corporeal beauty and their overall sexiness, charm and desirability."