The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : I have nothing to lose, says Hingis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 09, 2006

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Sport - Tennis

I have nothing to lose, says Hingis

SYDNEY: Daunting as her first-round match might be, Martina Hingis is excited she's confronting somebody who has played less tennis than she has in the last month.

That's the spin five-time Grand Slam singles champion Hingis, coming off a three-year absence from the tour, is putting on Monday's Sydney International match against French Open winner Justin Henin-Hardenne.

"You can't hide," said Hingis, who won three matches before losing in the semifinals of her comeback tournament on the Gold Coast last week.

"Sooner or later I have to play a Top 10 player, better sooner than later. Win or lose, you know where you're at."

Henin-Hardenne is seeded fifth here. She finished last season at No. 8, her ranking sliding after she injured her right hamstring at the U.S. Open and played only one match in the last three months.

Hingis retired in 2002 and hasn't played on tour since because of foot and heel injuries.

Henin-Hardenne, "hasn't played for a while either," Hingis said, "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."

Hingis won both previous head-to-heads in 2000, when Henin-Hardenne was just coming on the scene.

Both players have been ranked No. 1, both have won the Sydney International and the Australian Open.

Hingis won three consecutive Australian Open finals from 1997 and then lost the next three finals before quitting the tour.

At the Gold Coast, she lost to No. 20 Flavia Pennetta in the semifinals, but said making it that far had only increased her expectations in Australia, where she's playing on wild card entries.

Regardless of the outcome against Henin-Hardenne, Hingis thinks it will be good for her preparation for her return to Grand Slam tennis.

"Win or lose, Melbourne is the main tournament, so tomorrow it's going to be a match just like any other," she said. "I'll just try to get the best out of it and just get ready for Melbourne." — AP

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