Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis
Martina Hingisis a Swiss professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in doubles by the WTA. She spent a total of 209 weeks as the singles world No. 1 and has won five Grand Slam singles titles, twelve Grand Slam women's doubles titles, winning a calendar-year doubles Grand Slam in 1998, and five Grand Slam mixed doubles titles; for a combined total of twenty-two major titles. In addition, she has won the season-ending WTA Championships two times...
NationalityCzechoslovakian
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth30 September 1980
CityKosice, Slovakia
I knew I had to come up with a great game and I did.
It wasn't an easy match. But on the other hand, I made the important points, I won those games which I needed to win.
At my first press conference announcing that I was playing the game again they asked me who do you want to play that you haven't played before, and I'm like 'Of course, Maria' because she's a player that's gotten to the top winning Wimbledon at 17. I was just interested. I love playing her and hopefully we'll have many more matches.
Definitely anticipation has always been a very big part of my game -- to know and read my opponent -- but it's not easy. Even if I play a Grand Slam, I play girls I don't know, so I have to adapt very quickly.
I didn't miss much of the key points and I put her under pressure. I couldn't ask for more, because Maria is number four in the world. I knew I had to come up with a great game and I did.
I felt I had the game under control and whenever I needed it I was able to step it up. I wasn't thinking that I was going to lose the set because I felt she always had ups and downs. So did I, but every time I needed it I knew I could pressure her.
It was definitely a good performance today. I played smart and concentrated throughout the whole match. It was key in the first games to hold serve.
I think winning the first game showed her that I am here and I am prepared, and that she has to earn her points. It was really important to have won that first game.
Maria's strengths are her serve and that she is mentally tough. I have nothing to lose but to just go out and play my own game against her. I've wanted to play her since going into retirement.
For sure since 4-1 I started to play better. All these chances I had and games I could have won, she won anyway. You've got to have the stamina.
The game overall has gotten so much better, stronger, more physical parts to the game.
I was never happy that my injuries cut my career short and ultimately forced my decision to step away from tennis. I have enjoyed my time away from the court, a period that has allowed me to experience a different side of life. 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.
A lot of these young girls, they dont even know what the game is about. They have never seen a drop shot, a slice and all the mixture and variety I have.
Playing (Serena) it always felt like playing a steamroller. No subtlety, no finesse, just raw, loud power. To respect this style of play was always a bit tough for me, but of course I had to, because the rules of tennis dont state that having a beautiful game is required to become No. 1.