Hingus Still Undecided on WTA Tour Return
Former Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion Martina Hingus has yet to make a decision on whether to make a professional comeback.
Switzerland's Martina Hingis is still trying to decide whether her immediate future lies on a tennis court as part of the women's professional tennis tour.
Ahead of a mini comeback to play legends doubles with Anna Kournikova at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, the former world number one has described her return to the professional game as 'uncertain'.
A return to the WTA tour had been on the cards after her two-year drugs ban expired, and although she is considering partnering Lindsay Davenport in doubles tournaments, it is unclear whether she will join Justin Henin and Kim Clijsters as a 'comeback queen' in the women's game.
Swiss Star Begins to Rise
Hingis experienced an incredible rise to prominence and won a total of five grand slams during her career, three in Australia and one each at Flushing Medows and Wimbledon, after turning professional in 1994.
In February 2003 at the age of just 22, the Swiss player announced her retirement from tennis due to a series of injuries. She indicated an enjoyment for the game, and after 40 singles and 36 doubles titles, wanted to step into coaching and return to her native country on a full time basis.
Having spent a total of 209 weeks, the fourth most in history, ranked as the number one player in the ladies game there was much disappointment that a promising player was forced to retire.
Hingis Makes a Surprise Return
In February 2005, Hingis made an unsuccessful come back to competition at an event in Thailand, but after a first round defeat she claimed that there were no further plans to make a permanent return to playing.
The then 24-year-old star re-appeared on the circuit in July of the same year to play World Team Tennis, and the confidence she gained from a pair of victories in the competition was enough to convince Hingis to announce a full time return to the game in 2006.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and qualifying for the season ending WTA Tour Championships, Hingis ended the year ranked 7th in the world and 8th on the earnings list.
Drugs Suspension, More Injuries and a Second Retirement
2007 saw Hingis once more troubled by injury and off-court issues became worse for the Swiss player when it was revealed that she had tested positively for cocaine in an ITF drugs test at Wimbledon the previous year. Despite maintaining her '100% innocence' Hingis decided to retire for a second time due to the impending suspension, her age and health issues.
Now the Swiss player is looking into a 3rd comeback, and having already comitted to play 14 matches for Albany-based New York Buzz in July 2010, Martina has been rumored to be lining up a return to the professional game in time to compete in the US Open the following month.
It still remains unclear as to whether Hingis can mount a third playing comeback, but at the age of 29 and having witnessed several other female players commit to a return after retiring, there is still a possibility that her re-appearance could happen in the near future. Her willingness to perform may depend on her upcoming return at Wimbledon Championships on 21 June, 2010. On her return to play on the grass courts at the world famous venue, Hingis told the Telegraph newspaper: "Anna and I had a lot of success together and I look forward to being re-united with her at Wimbledon."
"Having won wingles in 1997 and doubles in 1996 and 1998, I am excited about returning to the place where I have had some of the best memories of my career.
Source: ESPN, Telegraph.co.uk
Ahead of a mini comeback to play legends doubles with Anna Kournikova at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, the former world number one has described her return to the professional game as 'uncertain'.
A return to the WTA tour had been on the cards after her two-year drugs ban expired, and although she is considering partnering Lindsay Davenport in doubles tournaments, it is unclear whether she will join Justin Henin and Kim Clijsters as a 'comeback queen' in the women's game.
Swiss Star Begins to Rise
Hingis experienced an incredible rise to prominence and won a total of five grand slams during her career, three in Australia and one each at Flushing Medows and Wimbledon, after turning professional in 1994.
In February 2003 at the age of just 22, the Swiss player announced her retirement from tennis due to a series of injuries. She indicated an enjoyment for the game, and after 40 singles and 36 doubles titles, wanted to step into coaching and return to her native country on a full time basis.
Having spent a total of 209 weeks, the fourth most in history, ranked as the number one player in the ladies game there was much disappointment that a promising player was forced to retire.
Hingis Makes a Surprise Return
In February 2005, Hingis made an unsuccessful come back to competition at an event in Thailand, but after a first round defeat she claimed that there were no further plans to make a permanent return to playing.
The then 24-year-old star re-appeared on the circuit in July of the same year to play World Team Tennis, and the confidence she gained from a pair of victories in the competition was enough to convince Hingis to announce a full time return to the game in 2006.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and qualifying for the season ending WTA Tour Championships, Hingis ended the year ranked 7th in the world and 8th on the earnings list.
Drugs Suspension, More Injuries and a Second Retirement
2007 saw Hingis once more troubled by injury and off-court issues became worse for the Swiss player when it was revealed that she had tested positively for cocaine in an ITF drugs test at Wimbledon the previous year. Despite maintaining her '100% innocence' Hingis decided to retire for a second time due to the impending suspension, her age and health issues.
Now the Swiss player is looking into a 3rd comeback, and having already comitted to play 14 matches for Albany-based New York Buzz in July 2010, Martina has been rumored to be lining up a return to the professional game in time to compete in the US Open the following month.
It still remains unclear as to whether Hingis can mount a third playing comeback, but at the age of 29 and having witnessed several other female players commit to a return after retiring, there is still a possibility that her re-appearance could happen in the near future. Her willingness to perform may depend on her upcoming return at Wimbledon Championships on 21 June, 2010. On her return to play on the grass courts at the world famous venue, Hingis told the Telegraph newspaper: "Anna and I had a lot of success together and I look forward to being re-united with her at Wimbledon."
"Having won wingles in 1997 and doubles in 1996 and 1998, I am excited about returning to the place where I have had some of the best memories of my career.
Source: ESPN, Telegraph.co.uk