Hingis Enshrined Into Tennis Hall of Fame

July 15, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Hingis_HOF

Thirty-two-year-old Martina Hingis became the fourth youngest player to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Newport, R.I. Hingis was born in Czechoslovakia and turned professional two weeks before her 14th birthday. She won the 1993 French Open junior title when she was 12-years-old. Hingis went on to win five Grand Slam titles: The 1997, 1998 & 1999 Australian Opens; 1997 Wimbledon; and the 1997 U.S. Open. She held the number one ranking for 209 weeks. Hingis also held the world number one doubles ranking for 35 weeks. She is in the elite company of Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Lindsay Davenport, and Kim Clijsters as one of just five players in history to have held both the singles and doubles number one WTA ranking simultaneously. Hingis has also won nine Grand Slam doubles titles and a mixed-doubles title. However, injuries forced her to retire at the age of 22. Four years later, Hingis tried to make a comeback, but was forced to retire after testing positive for cocaine.

Hingis accepted her enshrinement with humility.

“Thank you, tennis. You gave me the world,” Hingis said. “And now I honestly am out of words, because there are no words to explain what I feel.”

Other inaugurated players included 94-year old Australian Thelma Coyne Long, who was inducted into the master player category, and Cliff Drysdale, Ion Tiriac and Charlie Pasarell, for their contributions to the sport.

"An accomplished champion and brilliant player, Martina Hingis is one of the all-time greats in our sport, and we look forward to celebrating her impressive career during Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend," said Christopher Clouser, chairman of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. "Were it not for the vision, dedication, and drive to grow the game that Cliff, Charlie, and Ion have all shared, tennis would not be the established, high profile, exciting sport we all know and love today. In addition, we are delighted to honor Thelma Coyne Long and the Master Player enshrinees, all of whom played such an important role in the history of our sport."

Hingis won a total of 43 singles titles and 37 doubles titles over the course of her career, and compiled records of 548-133 in singles and 286-54 in doubles. In 1998, she led the Swiss Fed Cup team to its only Fed Cup final (lost 3-2 to Spain). She captured two WTA Tour Championships in singles (1998 and 2000) and two in doubles (1999 and 2000).

Since retirement, she has been active in World TeamTennis. Most recently, Hingis has taken on a coaching role, and she is currently working with up and coming WTA players.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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