Hingis Hopes for Happy Homecoming
by Amanda Buivids
Sunday, 15 January, 2006


Former World No.1 Martina Hingis admits she'll have a few 'butterflies in her stomach' when she strolls on to Rod Laver Arena in her first Grand Slam appearance in more than three years.

Although the nerves are a little different from those she experienced as a teenager in her debut at Melbourne Park 11 years ago, Hingis says she is focusing only on her first round match - the first in what she hopes will be a competitive return to tennis.

"It's really nice to be back and playing. The atmosphere really catches you right away. Playing on centre court ... it really is a beautiful arena. I have great memories here. I'll just try to catch up on good old times," Hingis said.

"It feels definitely different coming here ... playing in 1995 when I was 15, as a fearless, you know, rookie.

"Ten years later, definitely you have butterflies in your stomach.
Definitely by the time I walk outside in the arena, maybe hopefully with some spectators watching. It's definitely different coming into matches right now.

"I felt it at the Gold Coast (tournament) ... you have to try to throw your nerves behind yourself and just focus on strategy."

The three-time Australian Open champion meets Russian No.30 seed Vera Zvonareva in her opening match on Tuesday.

The powerful right-hander will be a difficult opponent to negotiate for Hingis, who has prepared for this year's Open with a promising semi-final appearance at Queensland's Gold Coast tournament and the Sydney International.

She was beaten by No.6 seed and Australian Open favourite Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-3 6-3 in the first round in Sydney, following a three-set semi defeat to Italy's Flavia Pennetta on the Gold Coast.

Hingis, 24, said her match against Hardenne, who has had her own injury concerns over the past two years, provided a good indication of where she was at in terms of fitness and strategy.

"She (Henin-Hardenne) ended up winning the tournament, so I had to face the best player in the draw," Hingis said.

"That's not the easiest task to do, especially coming after a long layover of three years.

... it showed me a little bit of where I'm at. I just have to give myself some more time."

Limping from the game in 2002 with chronic feet injuries, and exploring a life without tennis, Hingis said her comeback was inspired by her competitive spirit and passion for the game.

History's youngest world No.1 and five-time Grand Slam champion has been overwhelmed by the response and amount of goodwill from the public and her peers about her return.

"The last three years, I tried to find out different things, you know, if other things would make me happy," she said.

"The main reason was also my health. I mean, with my feet, I knew I couldn't be at the peak of the game I wanted to be.

"It's no fun going out there knowing beforehand that you can't be 100 per cent and provide the best tennis you can.

"Now, I think I have got my problems a little bit under control. I can't really tell you right now how far I'm at and how my body will last. I can only find out with playing tournaments."

World No.1 for 209 consecutive weeks from 1997-2002 - capturing the Australian, Wimbledon and US Open crowns in 1997 - winning 40 career tour titles and more than $US18m in prize money, Hingis appreciates what it takes to be at the top of her game.

At this stage of her comeback, she is not concerning herself with rankings or titles. She just wants to play.

"I have just got to be patient. I don't really want to make any judgements at the moment because I just want to get in the routine and just really feeling the pace of the game," she said.

She has never played Zvonareva, although she has watched and studied the baseliner in her role as a television commentator.

"She's one of the Russian gang. Definitely you have strength and weaknesses you know about the player. I hope I can take advantage of that," Hingis said.

What they say about the Hingis comeback

Serena Williams :

"She was part of our group, like myself and Venus and Anna (Kournikova), just a lot of young kids that kind of came up around the same time. I actually kind of missed her when she left. It's really nice to see her back, absolutely.

"She has dreams of coming back. I think that she's here, and even making that effort is amazing. She dreams big. I think if your dream big, you can reach lots of goals."

Venus Williams :

"I think she's a great player. I'm happy she came back. I think a lot of people are happy ... Her fans are extra happy. The sky's the limit for her, really for anyone on the WTA Tour.

"We all start on the same playing field. We all have the same opportunities to do whatever. It's an open game. So I think as long as she works hard, she could do fine."

Lindsay Davenport :

"I think it's great. I was very outspoken a few years ago in my disappointment that she did quit because I always enjoyed her as a player.

"I enjoyed competing against her. I enjoyed having her around. I think it's great that she took the time she felt she needed away from the game and realised she really did miss it and is coming back.

"I wish her all the success. It will be interesting to see if she can adapt her game to the different level of play that we now have than three or four years ago."

Maria Sharapova :

"I honestly think it brings so much more excitement to the game and so much more attention.

"Obviously now she's not seeded, so sometimes she can play a seed first round. It's just kind of that unexpected great player that you can play maybe first round, like it happened last week. It brings a lot more excitement for sure."

Mary Pierce :

"I'm happy. I love Martina. Played doubles with her for a year in 2000 and had a great time. I'm personally just happy to see her back because I missed her.

"It's tough in the beginning to come back, physically and mentally. I think in about two or three months it will be easier to tell.

"She's a champion. She's a great tennis player. It's pretty open right now, so it's a good time actually for her to be coming back."