The Stepanek In-Laws like her too

The proud parents-in-law, Article in Blick about the parents of Radek Dec. 31, 2006

Thanx again to Hilarius for translations

I think this is the last translation in 2006 (Central European Time)



Text by Barbara Lienhard publ. in “Sonntagsblick” of Dec. 31, 2006


Proud parents-in-law: There couldn’t be a bigger pleasure”

Vlastimil Stepanek trained formerly his son Radek and Martina Hingis. Now they want marry.
A visit to the happiest parents-in-law in the Czech Republic.

“You better sit down first, , otherwise you will fall dawn” Radek Stepanek advised his parents Vlastimil (60) and Hana (55). He tenderly held the hands of Martina and announced: “ We shall marry!”

When Vlastimil remembers this moment in November he still gets moved: “We cannot wish a better wife for our son”. Mama Hana is overjoyed about the engagement of her son with the Swiss tennis champion. “I like Martina very much, she is a girl with humour” she says. “We know each other for a long time”. In contrast to her husband, the educated librarian is not surprised about the proposal. “The relation is good, both have a similar character”.

No wonder, the two tennisplayers know each other since early childhood. The beginning of her love was 22 years ago on a claycourt in the town of Prerov. At this time pro trainer Vlastimil Stepanek trained not only his son, but also the four years old Martina, born in Slovakia , as the daughter of tennis player Karoly Hingis and the player Melanie Molitor. Vlastimil remembers that Martina came daily with her mother Melanie to play tennis. Her exceptional talent could already be seen. “She was so good, that she didn’t find an equal partner among the girls and she even beat the boys” says the future father-in-law. “When there was any boys doubles, she played with Radek”. He shares with the former number 1 the passion for tennis: “Radek grew up more or less on the courts. He had tears when he should go home in the evening, even he was so tired that he couldn’t play”, says the proud father.

In 1998 Karoly and Melanie Hingis divorced and Martina went with her mother to Switzerland. But the friendship between the two tennis-children lasted on. At the Australian Open in 2006 Cupid threw a dart and Martina and Radek fell in love. For the Stepaneks the nicest gift: Parents can’t have a bigger joy”.

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