Step by step the Swiss Miss trots closer to a comeback. (Click here for a piece from January, when Martina started the rumors swirling.)
The AP reports that once retired in 2002/then returned in 2006/then banned from 2007 – 2009/now horse jumping and ball room dancing former tennis Champion Martina Hingis will be playing a full schedule – 14 matches – of World Team Tennis this season. She will be selected for a team as part of the marquee player draft to be held on February 11th.
“There’s a spark,” Hingis said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
But she also said she would rule out the possibility of a return to the tour “at this point,” primarily because of all the travel.
“If it was played in the backyard,” Hingis said from her home in Switzerland, “then I’d probably think about it twice.”
The five time Major singles titlist played World Team Tennis in 2005 – in preparation for her first return to tour. Kim Clijsters played in the league last season before winning the 2009 US Open title.
Hingis goes coy when asked if the Belgian comebacks are inspiring her decision:
“It’s great to see them dig deep and come back that well. I don’t know if I could handle it,” Hingis said.
She watched more of this Australian Open than she has in years.
“Of course it makes you think. Tennis was all my life, and the most natural thing is that it makes you think. It would be sad if it didn’t make me think, don’t you think?” Hingis said.
Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Hingis wants that French Open.
Click here for more from the AP
Tags: comeback, Martina Hingis, retirment, World Team Tennis
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it’d be great to have her back but a feeling tells me she won’t do it.
Martina struggled with the big hitters when she returned the first time. I don’t think she’d be able to compete near the top of the sport with all of the talented big hitters now on the tour. But it would be fun to see her doing WTT.
i still think she should come back for doubles and mixed doubles.
So you think Roger would play with her
? I wonder how she’ll be received in the tennis community if she does launch a comeback.
oooooooohhhh 2012 olympic mixed dbls. i would love that.
i think she could really have a dbls. career like what martina n. did but not as long. i think fans would love it.
Roger and Martina for Hopman Cup next year!
Seriously though, I’d love to see her back. I’d keep the expectations low, but if Kimiko Date Krumm can do it, why not Hingis?
I knew it! If she watched Justine’s impressive run at the AO I think it reignated an old spark. It would be indeed great to have her back. Players like this are needed so much on the tour, there’s too much screaming and ball bashing.
I agree with LK28 Martina’s chance has passed. She doesn’t seem to have the will power nor the hunger for a comeback. Even if she were to try she would be discouraged. There many 19-22 year old girls who hit the ball a ton and do not care who she once was. Therefore the intimidation factor is also gone. It would be almost impossible to reach even the top 10 but her coming back would be good for tennis and i think all us tennis fans would appllaud such a move.
Why are you so sceptical? The women who are on the top of the game at the moment are mostly over 21. Serena, who’s no.1 is one of the oldest out there. Also the comeback queens had their 21st a long time ago. Time hasn’t taken away anything of their skill. I actually think they are fitter than some of the younger players on the tour who are more into being tennis “babes” than real competitors.