Martina Hingis

Martina Hingis (b. September 30 1980, in Ko?ice, Czechoslovakia) is a former World No. 1 woman tennis player from Switzerland. During her career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles (three Australian Open, one Wimbledon, and one US Open). She also won nine Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and captured all four of the Grand Slam women's doubles crowns in 1998. She set a series of "youngest-ever" records; however, in the end injuries ended her playing career at the relatively young age of 22.

End of career

Coming back from injury, Hingis reached a sixth straight Australian Open final at the start of 2002, and again faced Capriati. But having led by a set and 4-0, Hingis went on to lose 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. In May 2002, she needed another ankle operation, this time on her left ankle. After that she continued to struggle with injuries and was never able to recapture her best form. Her doctors insisted that she was able to play and many believe that her losses were more a result of the new power game (as played by Davenport, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, etc.) passing her by than any debilitating physical ailments.

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In 2003, at the age of 22, Hingis announced her retirement from tennis after losing her battle with severe ankle problems, dwindling confidence and results. During her career, she had won 40 singles titles and 36 doubles events. She held the World No. 1 singles ranking for a total of 209 weeks.

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In February 2005 Hingis made an unsuccessful return to competition at an event in Pattaya, Thailand, where she lost to Germany's Marlene Weingartner in the first round. Since then, she has said that she has no further plans to attempt a comeback.

Related Topics:
2005 - Pattaya - Thailand - Marlene Weingartner

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However, Hingis resurfaced in July 2005, playing singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in World Team Tennis. She produced a 18-1 record while playing for the New York Sportimes, with singles wins over two top 100 players. She also shut out Martina Navratilova in singles competition on July 7. These results again fueled speculation that Hingis was indeed considering a return to the WTA Tour.

Related Topics:
World Team Tennis - WTA Tour

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