Latest Martina Hingis news

Harbor Point tennis: Hingis plans to play in Marin
Dave Allen
Article Launched: 05/30/2008 05:06:13 PM PDT
After a rough year away from the court, Martina Hingis is now a world-class tennis player who could use a chance to freshen her image. Thanks to Rosie Casals and the Harbor Point Charitable Foundation, Hingis has her chance.

Sausalito's Casals, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, announced earlier this week that Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam winner and former No. 1, is the headlining player for the Esurance Tennis Classic charity event. The three-day showcase is Oct. 10-13 at Harbor Point Tennis Club in Strawberry.

Hingis has not played in a tournament since September. She retired from the women's professional tour last November after testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon earlier in the year. Hingis denied taking any banned substance, but confirmed that at least one of her samples produced a positive result.

Since then, Hingis has not played competitively. According to reports, she is confirmed to play in the Liverpool International tournament, a non-WTA Tour event, in June. In January, the International Tennis Federation confirmed a doping offense and said she would be suspended from WTA events for two years. "We were looking for a good headliner. She was available and willing," Casals said. "(The suspension) is a tough issue for her. Unfortunately, that's something most people are going to thing about instead of what a great career she has had. É This is a player known for her manners and sportsmanship on the court. É

People need to get to Considering all that, Harbor Point and its goodwill-inducing event is probably the perfect place for the world's former No. 1 player. The showcase, which began in 2005, is a fund-raiser for two cancer organizations and a youth tennis project. In the past, those causes helped lure players like Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin and Lindsay Davenport.

Hingis isn't the only world-class name on the docket for this year's event. Corina Morariu, Conchita Martinez, Mary Joe Fernandez, Murphy Jensen, Jan-Michael Gambill and Bud Collins join Marin residents Barry MacKay and Brad Gilbert. Other players and celebrities are still being finalized.

"We are extremely happy to have (Hingis), as well as all the others," Casals said. "It's an exciting event and I want everyone to come on out."

General admission is $25 for adults, $10 for kids. VIP packages are limited, but available. This year's event will be televised by Comcast Sports Net Bay Area and on the Versus network. Info: Call 246-7075 or go to www.tennisclassic.org.

HINGIS IN MARIN
The Esurance Tennis Classic is Oct. 10-13 at Harbor Point Tennis Club in Strawberry.
Confirmed: Martina Hingis, Corina Morariu, Conchita Martinez, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Murphy Jensen, Jan-Michael Gambill, Barry MacKay and Bud Collins plan to be in attendance.
Info: Call 246-7075 or go to www.tennisclassic.org

thanx to jimmy62 from http://www.hingis.org