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Hingis hopes to play in Australian Open
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-05 09:19
ZURICH, Switzerland - Martina Hingis hopes to make her return to Grand Slam
tennis at the Australian Open next month.
Hingis, who announced earlier
this week that she was coming back after a three-year retirement, is considering
Australian Open warmup tournaments in Hong Kong or Gold Coast, Australia.
"It's going to be great ¡ª four more weeks to go probably 'til I play my first
tournament," the 25-year-old Swiss star said at a news conference.
The Hong Kong exhibition and Gold Coast tournament are scheduled for Jan.
2-9. The Australian Open begins Jan. 16.
"That would be the goal at the moment, to be able to participate at that
level," said Hingis, who won the last of her three straight Australian Open
titles in 1999.
Australian Open director Paul McNamee said this week he planned to give
Hingis a wild card.
"She has not made up her own mind yet when she's coming back," he told
Australian media. "We're hoping Australia, but it's not a fait accompli."
Her manager, Mario Widmar, said she will decide in the next eight days where
to play her first event.
Hingis, who retired in 2002 after battling foot, heel and ankle problems said
she was willing to "take the risk" of more injuries.
"With every job, you have to be willing to pay some kind of price," she said.
"You have to be willing to play with pain to a certain level. The question is
how much can you take."
Hingis' doctor said she would be closely monitored to make sure her previous
battles with foot injuries did not reappear.
Dr. Heinz Buehlmann said Hingis was in good health and had overcome her ankle
injuries, but her heel problems remained an issue.
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