Martina Hingis’s second comeback on the doubles court this summer has been high profile in terms of coverage but disappointing in terms of results. So at the age of 32, the one-time Swiss Miss is unsure whether she will compete again next year.
Hingis has called a halt – perhaps temporary, perhaps more long term – to her partnership with Daniela Hantuchova after the duo failed to get out of the second round of any of the five tournaments that they contested.
Initial plans were for them to contest next week’s Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and the ensuing China Open in Beijing with wild card entries for the pair on offer at both tournaments.
Hingis has reportedly withdrawn from both, citing ‘personal reasons. However the former world no.1 is known to have been suffering issues with her calf muscles.
At the recent US Open, where she and Hantuchova lost in the first round of the women’s doubles, Hingis maintained she was enjoying her comeback but added: “I wish I was winning. Maybe that would help. I always play tennis to win matches and to win tournaments.
“Maybe hard court is not the easiest one to come back to as well, playing eight weeks in a row. I haven’t stopped since Wimbledon and playing TeamTennis, playing the tournaments. My body is screaming: ‘What are you doing to me?’ Not playing at a Grand Slam for six years doesn’t really, help either.”
The Tokyo event will also be without world no.1 Serena Williams who cited fatigue, and Maria Sharapova, ruled out by shoulder problems.
Topics: Daniela Hantuchova, Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, Tennis, Toray Pan Pacific Open, US Open, Wta