For Martina Hingis, Thursday marks the first day of the rest of her life.
After two long years of controversy, Hingis’ cocaine suspension from tennis is over.
But that’s not to say that you should expect to see Martina back on the courts of Melbourne Park with Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters in January. The Swiss Miss has no plans to return professionally, but at least now, she does not have to worry about her name being on no-admittance lists at Grand Slam tournaments.
For the former world number one, her banishment from the sport was a bitter pill to swallow. A little over two years ago, the tennis world was rocked by the International Tennis Federation’s announcement that a trace amount of cocaine was found in Hingis’ body after a routine drug test at the 2007 Wimbledon Championships. Her penalty: two years on the sidelines of the sport.
For Hingis, a two-year suspension was a death warrant to her career.
She was far from her prime, especially after spending two years in retirement. Her brief comeback, although successful, failed to reap her any additional Grand Slam trophies, but at the time, it appeared that it would at least allow her to end a distinguished career on her own terms. Little did Hingis know that her second retirement would be far more unsettling than her first one.
Immediately after revealing to the public the ITF’s findings, Hingis announced her decision to quit the sport.
On the eve of her two-year suspension’s end, Martina finally spoke out about the scandal via a telephone call with Sports Illustrated.
When asked yet again if she had taken the recreational, not performance-enhancing drug, Hingis remains adamant. “Taken cocaine? Never,” Hingis said. “If I had ever taken cocaine, I would have said so.”
“There were hard times and it was frustrating knowing I did nothing wrong but couldn’t really fight this,” Hingis said about her two-years completely away from professional tennis. “It was my reputation and I knew the truth. But the process didn’t really let me fight.”
So what changes for Hingis now that her suspension is over? For starters, she is now permitted back on the grounds of major tournaments, a boon for her financially if she decides to pursue a career in commentary. She might still be disgusted with the system, but her love for tennis remains. Recently, she has also spent time working with junior players.
Her future may be uncertain, but of one thing, she is positive—she will let the rest of the Tour’s retired players think about making comebacks without her.
For a follow-up to this article about Martina Hingis, please visit this page to read our exclusive interview with Hingis.
I never really liked Hingis after some comments she made years ago, but I am glad her suspension is over. Good luck to her!
Hingis /did/ explain the ITF’s findings. Here’s an excerpt from the press-conference in which she announced her positive cocaine-test and second retirement:
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The attorney and his experts discovered various inconsistencies with the urine sample that was taken during Wimbledon. He is also convinced that the doping officials mishandled the process and would not be able to prove that the urine that was tested for cocaine actually came from me.
However, this attorney and others have also pointed out to me that a case like this one can take years to resolve.
And this is the reason for my announcement. I have no desire to spend the next several years of my life fighting against the doping officials.
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Martina gave me many years of pleasure watching her perform her own kind of magic ont he tennis court. A wonderful example of good tennis, good manners and a nice person.
I understand her chagrin if she had not taken drugs and can’t blame her for not wasting her time fighting an uphill battle.
I just read an article where a couple of men players were banned for a couple of months for cocaine. Why did she get banned for two years.
Bill C
I never did like Hingis. But maybe she will get her act together and help some of the junior players.
Never really liked her. Doubts as to the real truth were never answered,which makes one wonder- your name is at stake and you dont fight back? WHY???
@hush: Because sometimes — especially if rich enough already — it’s just not worth the trouble. heh
Anyway, nice to see her again, she was my favorite. But she should do herself a favor and avoid returning to competitive tennis (other than maybe World Team Tennis). She would just cause herself unneeded pain trying to compete with today’s new level. Besides that, comebacks are so annoying now! First Kim (who said she had to quit because her body couldn’t take it anymore), and now Justine coming back?!!! Oh boy. lol
tennis these days to me it is boring.i do hope Hingis will come back to change the game.She was the queen of the game.