Hingis plans return to pro tennis - 網球

CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/11/29/tennis.hingis.reut/index.html

Hingis plans return to pro tennis

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) -- Swiss former world number one Martina Hingis is to
return to professional tennis next year.

"I was never happy my injuries cut my career short and ultimately forced my
decision to step away from tennis," said the 25-year-old in a statement
issued by her agents Octagon on Tuesday.

"I have enjoyed my time away from the court, a period that has allowed me to
experience a different side of life."

She added|: "However, I miss the game and the challenge of competing at the
highest level of tennis, and I want to gauge whether I can stay healthy and
compete against today's top players."

Hingis, winner of five grand slam singles titles, retired in late 2002
because of injury.

She is the youngest player in history to reach the top of the world rankings,
having achieved the feat at the age of 16 years six months.

At 16, she was the youngest winner of a grand slam last century and the
holder of the Australian, Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns.

Hingis compensated for her lack of height with superb court craft, excellent
timing and an indomitable will.

The advent of the powerful Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, punctured
Hingis's dominance and her decline began.

She won the last of her five grand slam singles titles at the 1999 Australian
Open.

Damaged feet
In 2001 she sued Italian sportswear company Sergio Tacchini, saying their
shoes had damaged her feet.

Operations on her ankles in October 2001 and May 2002 led Hingis to withdraw
from the sport.

She made a one-off comeback to the WTA Tour last February, losing 1-6 6-2 6-2
to Germany's Marlene Weingartner in the first round of the Thailand Open.

Before playing in Thailand, her last match had been in Filderstadt, Germany
in late 2002.

Hingis ranks third in the list of career prize money, behind Steffi Graf and
Martina Navratilova.

"Martina (Hingis) has meant so much to the game of tennis, both on the court
with her results, and off the court through her continuous charity
involvement," said Phil de Picciotto, Octagon's president of athletes and
personalities.

"She had just turned 22 when injuries forced her to stop. Now, at the age of
25, with several surgeries behind her, Martina is looking forward to the
challenge of playing a competitive schedule of events."

Hingis was a model of consistency throughout her career, earning at least $1
million in prize money for seven successive years.


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