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 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.
We both knew what to expect from one another. I was watching her growing up and playing.
We worked hard all season to get ourselves into this position, ... I was very happy to be part of this team and get them going. I knew when the guys lost the first set of doubles I had to step up and get us a lead.
I'm very excited. We've had great battles over the years, and now that I haven't played her since my comeback, it's definitely a great challenge. We always played one of the best matches because we knew every time we played, either we win the tournament or we were close to doing so. So (it) always brought the best tennis out of each other.
I knew I had to come up with a great game and I did.
I knew (Pin) was not going to overpower me. Sometimes in the windy conditions you have to be very careful to overdo it and you have to work your point out there.
I knew that I had to be right there from the start. I knew I couldn't give her any momentum.
I just so badly didn't want to lose first round here. I knew I was well prepared for the situation, for the occasion. Tonight I felt close to being 100% physically, mentally, everything.
There are always little aches and pains but as long as I pace myself I should be OK. As for the ankle, so far, so good.
You have to believe that down deep otherwise I wouldn't come back.
This year I definitely have more matches than her -- that's a plus. Generally it's easier to play somebody like this first round than later in the draw. I have nothing to lose against Justine.
Toward the end I just don't want to remember the other finals I played here and lost in the second set.
Either way it would have been a great match. It was just very difficult conditions and today it was whoever had the stronger head and stayed in the match. One shot here and there and it could have been different.