Hingis Wins First Title Since Her Return (Tennis)

yahoo.com ^ | 5/21/06 | Andrew Dampf

[beyond the sea]

ROME - Martina Hingis saw a different side of life in her three years away from tennis. Some things, however, don't change: She can still win tennis tournaments.

Hingis beat 16th-seeded Dinara Safina 6-2, 7-5 Sunday in the Italian Open final for the 41st title of her career, but first since winning in Tokyo more than four years ago.

She returned in January after nearly three years out of the game with foot and ankle injuries.

"I lived a different life and experienced a lot of things, and that probably helps me today in those moments," Hingis said.

"If I could turn back time, of course I would have continued to play. But at that point it wasn't possible — the pain and the operations. Right now, I'm very happy that my health is as good as it is."

After winning the first set in 27 minutes and taking a 4-1 lead in the second, Hingis faced three break points that would have sent the second set to a tiebreaker. But she gathered herself and served the match out.

When Safina's backhand return sailed long, the Swiss player placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath of relief.

"I know how life is after tennis, and that probably gives me a lot of joy at these moments. I want to save them as much as I can," Hingis said.

The 25-year-old Hingis said the victory boosted her confidence entering the French Open, which starts next Sunday. The Italian Open is a key clay-court warmup for Roland Garros.

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"I felt like I never really had the game out of my hands," Hingis said. "I almost feel like I won my first title. This is what you play for, what I came back for."

[jjbrouwer]

Amazing comeback story. I hope she wins the French Open now.

[A CA Guy]

It is a nice win. I don't know if it was a great draw or if she is really back in a top 8 form at this point.

I think she is a nice lady who is good for the sport.
She IMO seems to be a happy spirit for the sport.

She's back IMO primarily because she makes at least 20 million a year in endorsements around the world by just being visible.
If she wins a major or two, the endorsements could go up to 40 million a year.

[beyond the sea]

"She IMO seems to be a happy spirit for the sport." ---

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Well said, A CA Guy!

She is a good little girl.

[jjbrouwer]

Well, she did manage to beat Venus Williams, although Venus has been a little off-form lately.

[A CA Guy]

Oh I know about Venus.

She has already pretty much blown out her body as has her sister hers.

When they were coming up, for years they were playing at 120% when all that was needed was 85% and their bodies paid the price.
That is an example where their dad was a mistake as a coach at some point.

Problem is, once you've stretched ligaments in your ankles or wrists, how do you tighten them back up?

Serena is kind of built like a heavy muscled line backer, so she is going to rip more and more muscles as she gets older and would never have had as long a career as Venus who has screwed her wrists up.

Both have had to be absent from tour over lots of injuries, though both have claimed it is because it is due to the success they are having designing fashions for giant color blind African women.