Hingis to Mark WTA Tour Comeback at Southern California Open

July 16, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Just enshrined into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this past weekend, Martina Hingis has plotted her return to the WTA Tour as a doubles partner by accepting a wild card entry into the doubles draw of the Southern California Open in Carlsbad, Calif., partnering with Daniela Hantuchova.

"I am very much looking forward to making a return to competitive play at the Southern California Open," Hingis said. "I remember winning the singles and doubles here in 1997 and winning the singles again in 1999. This has always been one of my favorite events to play. I feel in good shape at the moment after playing World Team Tennis. My competitive spirit is still very much alive and I love being out on court. The tournament at Onmi La Costa Resort & Spa is the perfect place for me to start."

Hingis, a nine-time Grand Slam champion and former number one in doubles, played her last three doubles events with Hantuchova, at Miami, Los Angeles and the U.S. Open in 2007. She also has big success in Carlsbad, sweeping the singles and doubles in 1997 and winning the singles one more time in 1999.

The 32-year-old Hingis will be making her first WTA tournament appearance since September 2007. The former number one player in the world captured 43 career WTA singles titles, including five Grand Slam singles championships and 37 career WTA doubles titles, including nine Grand Slam doubles championships.

“We are honored to have such a great champion of the game choose to make the Southern California Open her first tournament back on tour,” said Tournament Director Alastair Garland. “Having just been inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame, it will be a true treat for the fans to enjoy watching Martina play doubles.”

Hingis will be making her eighth career appearance in Carlsbad. A two-time singles champion, Hingis defeated Monica Seles, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the 1997 final and Venus Williams, 6-4, 6-0, in the 1999 final. She also captured the 1997 doubles title with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.

In addition to playing doubles, Hingis will spend time during the tournament at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa promoting her new signature tennis collection—Tonic by Martina Hingis. The new clothing line from Tonic Lifestyle Apparel is the Official Clothing Partner of the Southern California Open.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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