Tennis NewsSwitzerland's Martina Hingis, five times a grand slam winner and the youngest number one in modern tennis, revealed yesterday she had tested positive for cocaine during this year's Wimbledon and was retiring immediately.
"I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 per cent innocent," Hingis said. "The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities."
Despite her protestations of innocence, the news came as another huge blow to a sport which this year has had to contend with rumours of match-fixing on the men's side, still under investigation.
There have been 27 failed drug tests since 2004 - 25 men and two women - and former Australian Open champion Petr Korda tested positive at the 1998 Wimbledon for nandrolone, a steroid which was to become infamous on the men's Tour.
Hingis had retired in 2003, unable to cope with the power game of players such as the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, before making a comeback at the start of last year. She won three further titles, including Tokyo this year, to take her singles titles to 43. But, despite climbing back to seventh in the world, she was never a potent force again at grand slam level.
Having lost in the third round of this year's Wimbledon to Laura Granville, and then gone out early in her final major in New York, Hingis announced an early end to her season, citing hip problems. She had been expected to announce her retirement yesterday, but the cocaine revelations shocked everybody.
In a statement, the 27-year-old said she found the accusation of drug-taking "so horrendous, so monstrous, that I have decided to confront it head-on by talking to the press. I would personally be terrified of taking drugs and, when I was informed (about the positive test), I was shocked and appalled."
She added she had a private test which came back negative.
Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA Tour, said he had not received official information regarding the doping test and could not comment. "With respect to her retirement announcement, she is a tremendous champion and a fan favourite the world over," he said.
Prodigious talent: a brief history of Hingis
A Swiss citizen, but born in Kosice, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), on September 30th, 1980.
Became the youngest Wimbledon champion, aged 15, by winning doubles title with Helena Sukova in July 1996.
Became the youngest grand slam singles champion in the 20th century by winning the Australian Open in January 1997, aged 16. Also won Wimbledon and US Open in the same year, becoming the first player since Steffi Graf in 1993 to reach the finals of all four grand slams.
In March 1997 became the youngest world number one. Spent 80 consecutive weeks there before sprained left ankle cost her top ranking.
Finished 2000 as world number one after winning nine titles.
In 2001 she lost number one ranking after tearing ankle ligaments during Filderstadt semi-final against Lindsay Davenport. Underwent surgery in October.
No let up to injuries in 2002, undergoing tests in Zurich for joint damage in her foot, knee and hips. In May, she had surgery on her left ankle.
Announced in October 2002 she would take an indefinite break from tennis.
Returns to sport at the Australian Open in January 2006, reaching quarter-finals.
