Hingis faces the exhibition tournament in Rio like a test - 網球

小辛明天在巴西與庫娃有一場表演賽

The exhibition match against Anna Kournikova will be the very first test for
Martina Hingis, who returns to the circuit, 3 years after playing her last
match as a professional. This is Martina’s prospective, who was interviewed in
Rio de Janeiro, where she faces Kournikova next Saturday night.

“I’ve announced that I’m coming back next year, but I’m here to play an
exhibition. I think it’ll be a good test”, declared the former #1 player of
the world. Her opponent, who was sat next to her, interrupted her and said:
“What a good test for you!”, said the Russian, laughing.

The five times Grand Slam champion took the risk of returning to the tour.
“Without risks, life wouldn’t be fun, and that’s why I’m gonna take them”,
said Hingis, who was in very good mood during the whole press conference.
Although she’s aware of the difficulties, she didn’t seem to fear the top
ranked players.

“The top players right now are basically the same ones as before. Pierce had
an excellent year and Mauresmo won the WTA Championships, for example”, said
Hingis. “Who I’m the most looking forward to face on court is Maria Sharapova
, who, last time I’ve played, was only 12”.

The Swiss didn’t confirm if she’s playing the Australian Open, the first
Grand Slam of the year, that starts next January. As she has no points to
defend, she’d have to get a wild card from the organizators of the event.
“It’s not sure yet [if she’ll receive the WC or not], but it’ll be decided
a few days before I travel to there”, she said.

According to her own words, the decision to return to pro tennis again was well
-thought. “It was a long way till I’ve decided that. Earlier, I couldn’t
practice because of my injury in the foot. After that, I got closer to tennis
again, commentating matches on TV, and then I played some exhibitions. In the
last season, I played the clubs championships”.

Hingis started and finished the press conference talking about Brazil. “I’m
really happy to come here. It’s a pity I don’t have much time to visit the
city better, but I still wanna go to “Cristo Redentor”, she said in the
beginning. “With a sight like this, Brazilian people don’t need to have great
tennis players to make the public happy”, she concluded, laughing.

--