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http://www.hingis.itgo.com
ALWAYS TENNIS STAR IN THE WORLD
::::: Martina Hingis :::::
" A NEW LIFE STARTS "
" A NEW LIFE STARTS "
Martina Hingis does not believe to make a comeback
on the Tour.
At twenty-two years old, she looks into the future with serenity.Martina Hingis
lives in Schindellegi, a small village,
30 minutes from the center of Zurich, in a large modern house covered by snow.
The contemporary
art style furnitures looks restrained and of good taste.
A cocooning environment. She lives there with her mother, Melanie Molitor,
who was her coach, her friend, her mentor, all along her career.
And Mario Widmer, the partner of her mother, who is her manager.
A female cousin, coming from the Czech Republic has enlarge the family circle.
After an interview in which she explains
why a return to competition is
unforeseeable (she can't compete anymore on high level and does not wish to
have to play on a lower one), Martina puts on her gaiters to promptly go to
the nearby horse club, while insisting on the fact that there's not much to
feel sorry for her. Even so, she let clearly understand that we won't see
her on a Pro Tennis court anymore.
Fifteen minutes later, seeing her saddling
her horse, her state of mind can
be better perceived. "This mare's named is Laetitia, she says. "I
bought her
last week. She's eight years old, she's perfect. I have ridden lots of
horses in my life, all around the world, I even won one in Doha, but Laetitia,that's
my gift, my post-career present.
She's perfect for me.
That's the horse I was dreaming of and couldn't owned until now.I N T E R
V I E W
by Dominique BonnotQ: How do you feel at the moment, physically, morally?
MH: I stopped training because my health does not allow me to do it anymore.
I don't play every day. And when I play it's for two hours, but then only
once in a day, because of the pains with my feet.
A present, my priority in life is no longer tennis but studies.
I go there four times per week. (three mornings and an afternoon) at a school,
in Zurich, which is called AKAD.
It's a very high level school, in English
Teaching particularly, Cambridge
lebel degree. It's very hard, I start early in the day, and I got lots of
homeworks to do.Q: But what's the purpose for this?
MH: Already, to obtain, a very, very high English grade, and then also perhaps,
one day, I don't know... to obtain a very high level of general knowledge,
and to start with a job, marketing or something, along with opportunities'.
Q: But do you really enjoy this project or you do
that as a pastimee while waiting...?
MH: The first two months, before the school begins,
I had to organize myself, find something to do with this new way of life
everyday. And with these courses
I found it. That's a real change to what I did so far, but this is what
makes me feel happy today. Tennis was a significant part of my life, but
another one starts.
Q: Who are you still playing Tennis with ?
MH: With Myriam Casanova, Ivo Heuberger. With people
who are around here and wants to hit the ball. I also played with Patty
Schnyder. I play with my
mother from time to time, just for fun. She's coaching Myriam Casanova,
and sometimes I join them.
Q: Do you train your body, in a gym or other?
MH: No, no. I turned it down, I gave enough.
Q: Why did you choose to live in your village and
not in sunny Florida, where you owned a house?
MH: Because of my school. Thats's the main reason. But also because I like my country, my house. I am very well here.
Q: In Los Angeles you said that a comeback could
still be possible for the Austalian Open. What prevent you to make it ?
MH: I give it up because I wasn't feeling better.
In November and December, I tried to play intensively, with Myriam and Patty,
but as soon as I started to increase the pressure, it was becoming too hard.
Impossible.
Q: But do you have an idea for the time when you
will finally be able to return to competition?
MH: No. A return to competition is unforeseeable, in the near future at least, in any case, that is for sure.
Q: But you think you'll be able to come back, for
example for the clay season of in Roland-Garros. Did you set an objective
?
MH: No, there is no way to plan a possible comeback.
Q: You've said that Woman tennis reached a point
of no return because power inherent to the current playing style.
But Davenport stated recently that you would have to stop being afraid,
and rather come back, with your weapons...
MH: (She laughs.) Lindsay was wounded, unavailable
for several months. She knows what that means.
But it is hard to speak without knowing what
the others feels. I will never interfere someone else decision.
I feel grateful that the players think about
me, because tennis was a part of my life during so many years,
but, that's it, it's over and life goes on. I'm not able any more to do
what is necessary to be full fit. I was on top long enough to
clearly know what that mean, and I'm not able to do it right now.
When you were number 1 for four years, you cannot be satisfy with lesser
results.
Then, as long as I cannot compete on the top level... But I don't want that
people
feel sorry for me, I have a super life, even without competition, I am happy.
Q: Though, do you think when you'll return...
MH: But you keep speaking about come-back! Believe
me, I really enjoy my new life.
You have to consider what lies behind the life of a pro tennis player :
stress, travels, medical care, etc.
I'm twenty-two years old, I have all my life to live.
My life is not a drama. The only thing I can't do anymore, is to train so
as to stay competitive.
Q: Are you telling me that you won't come back ?
MH: (Hesitation, smile) More or less, yes it is the truth. That's a fact at the moment thats absolutely sure.
Q: Are you worried by the legal procedures you have
initiated against your former sponsor Sergio Tacchini, in New York ?
Or by those Tacchini engaged a gainst you in Milan, these two stories represents
big financial stakes?
MH: No, because these are very complicated things,
but are now in lawyer's hands.
Mario Widmer:
This is not at all something disturbing Martina. Indeed the
stakes are very significant, and the fact that she doesn't play anymore
is
an added element in this case. But she would have preferred to be able to
play again, rather than to obtain repair in the justice courts, something
that she hopes to however.
Q: Do you plan to have kids ?
MH: (astonished.) Not before being 29 years old,
at least! I want to live
for me, at last. You know, during all these years, I followed such a discipline
that I
need to enjoy a certain freedom.
During sixteen years, from the moment I started in the juniors tournaments,
I had a very demanding and routine life.
Q: Your new life has brought you new pleasures, news
relations?
MH: indeed, I met with new friends at my school.
The three days I spent in
Saint-Moritz during the holidays, for one of my sponsors event, were the
three most beautiful days of my life. In the tennis scene, I keep in touch
with
Anna Kournikova and Monica Seles. And I still have my mother and Mario by
my side,
helping me so much.
Q: Then truly, you don't have any regrets concerning
tennis?
MH: Regrets ? No regrets at all ! tennis gave me
so much ! A wonderful life!
(later while jumping the obstacles with her horse Laetitia, Martina will
end
the interview galloping on her horse) ; "A new life starts. I am happy,
so happy !
How could that I won't be ? "I have money, I live in a country I love,
and I am riding this magnificent
horse. I only have to say "tss-tss", and he reacts right away.
What do you want to ask for more ?".
ALWAYS TENNIS STAR IN THE WORLD
