Julio Iglesias has never met Ana Kournikova because his son Enrique Iglesias is such a private person.

The Spanish singing legend has never been introduced to the former tennis pro in the 12 years she has been in a relationship with Enrique, but it doesn't bother him because he accepts the 'Hero' hitmaker if fiercely independent.

Quizzed about the fact the pair have never met, Julio told BANG Showbiz: ''It's completely true that I have never met Ana Kournikova. I don't know why. There is no reason. Maybe because I travel a lot, like crazy. And Enrique also has a very strong, extremely independent personality. But I told him, 'Congratulations.' I prefer to look into my kids' eyes and see success instead of shadows.''

The 70-year-old star has three children with his first wife, Isabel Preysler , including singers Enrique and Julio Jr., and five with his second spouse Miranda Rijnsburger.

He admits his superstar sons have never needed any advice from him and they have a typical father/son relationship where they don't discuss important things.

Julio said: ''Fathers want to talk with their sons and sons want to talk less than their fathers. We think we know everything and they think we know nothing. And that philosophy is even stronger when the father and son share a profession. But you cannot tell anything to a champion. You cannot teach how to play to a champion and Enrique is a champion.''

Julio is hoping his sons will take time out of their busy schedule to spend some quality time with him in the future just as he did with his own dad Julio Iglesias Sr. in the years before his passing in December 2005 at the age of 90.

He explained: ''I don't follow them on Twitter but I know everything about Enrique and Julio. I know where they are, the music they are doing.

''It´s true they usually don't come to see me but I did exactly the same with my dad. But during the last years of my father's life we travelled the world together and I became his friend, more so than ever, so I hope that one day my kids will realise that.''

This week, 'Begin the Beguine' singer Julio was presented with a special award by Sony Music in London for being the Most Successful Latin Artist of All Time.

Julio - who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages during his six-decade spanning career - performs at The Royal Albert Hall in the UK capital on May 19.