The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Hingis is enjoying life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Hingis is enjoying life

ZURICH, FEB. 8. Martina Hingis, the former top player on the women's tennis circuit, says she is enjoying life outside the tough world of professional sport and focusing on her private life — which includes England soccer star Sol Campbell.

Hingis, who played her first competitive match since 2002 last week in Pattaya, Thailand, said in an interview published on Tuesday with the weekly magazine Schweizer Illustrierte that she has no plans to return full-time to the tour, but will continue to play in exhibition matches and charity events.

``I have a very good life and enjoyed all the freedom over the last two years,'' the 24 year-old Swiss said, according to the magazine. ``I am no longer 16 or 17, and I am no longer prepared to concentrate solely on world class sport.''

Hingis — who lost in her comeback bid against German Marlene Weingartner — said she was surprised by how much women's tennis had developed in her absence and that it would be difficult for her to compete with the new athletes dominating the sport.

``What was good enough two years ago, doesn't do it anymore. Now, my size puts me at a disadvantage,'' she said.

Quizzed over her rumoured relationship with Campbell, 30, Hingis said she enjoys the company of the England and Arsenal central defender. But, pressed by the magazine on whether Campbell is her ``new love,'' she said: ``That's too strong a word.''

``I like Sol a lot and we see each other whenever possible, but he has many matches and I have my appointments as well,'' she said. ``It is not easy for us both.''

Other previous boyfriends have included Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia and Florida Assistant State Attorney Christopher Calkin, who in 2001 successfully prosecuted a man who had stalked Hingis at her homes and at tournaments around the world.

Hingis was 22 when she retired in 2002 after operations on both ankles. The five-time Grand Slam singles champion was the youngest player to reach No. 1 at the age of 16 years and six months. She won a combined 76 singles and doubles titles during her career. — AP

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