Hingis said she takes pride in telling people that she taught Federer how to win tournaments
Martina Hingis of the Hyderabad Aces plays a shot during her Champions Tennis League match against Heather Watson of the Chennai Warriors at the SDAT Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday. Hingis won 5-3.(Photo: E.K. Sanjay)
Chennai: It’s difficult to keep Martina Hingis away from the tennis court. Multiple surgeries, two off-the-cuff retirement calls and a doping suspension haven’t persuaded the 35-year-old Swiss, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles including four in singles, to call it quits once and for all.
It’s been almost two decades since Hingis burst on to the scene as the youngest grand slam champion at 16, but she has lost none of her zest for the racquet sport. India’s Sania Mirza and Leander Paes, her partners in doubles, would vouch for the fire in the Swiss star’s belly.
Hingis, who is currently in the country to compete in the Champions Tennis League, said she would remain on the Tour in different avatars. “I like the coaching part as I enjoy spending time with players. If someone seeks help from me, I would only be ready to do my bit for them. It doesn’t matter which gender the call comes from. I admire Amelie Mauresmo (who works with Andy Murray) for accepting the challenge of working in the men’s Tour. I pretty well know what made me strong in tennis. I have always had a good technique and I can help others develop it,” said Hingis, who represents Hyderabad Aces.
Roger Federer had once been a ball boy for Hingis and later they won the Hopman Cup as teammates. Hingis said she takes pride in telling people that she taught Federer how to win tournaments.
“The Hopman Cup was one of the first major successes for him. He was a late bloomer, but I knew he would achieve big. He is a living legend now. People wrote him off a couple of years ago, but look what has happened. He is number two and pushing Novak Djokovic. I feel his Slam No.18 is round the corner,” she added.
Hingis has already approached both her countrymen Federer and Stan Wawrinka to partner her at next year’s Olympics. “The decision would be made at the end of the year. I am looking forward to competing in the Olympics again,” said Hingis, who last took part in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
During the 90s, women’s tennis was dominated by teenagers headlined by Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Hingis. But the game has changed a lot now. Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic is the only teenager in the current top 50.
“When I look back, what I have achieved looks incredible. The game is so different now that it’s almost impossible for a teen to breakthrough and win slams. During my time, when players like Lindsay Davenport crossed 20, people thought she was not young enough to win grand slams. So, there was a pressure on teenagers to deliver on the big stage,” said Hingis.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
