Martina Hingis - The Youngest-ever junior grand slam winner at French Open

The tennis world was shocked at the end of 2002 when Martina Hingis announced she was taking an extended break from the game, explaining that she needed time for her mind and body to heal after suffering from an ankle injury. The five-time grand slam winner was still only 22.

Hingis’ tennis career had started early - her mother Melanie first putting a racket in her daughter’s hand when she was three. With Melanie’s encouragement, the young Martina progressed at a remarkable rate. She set a series of youngest-ever records in the junior game before turning professional two weeks after her 14th birthday. Hingis then began her assault on the senior game.

In January 1997, Hingis became the youngest player to win a grand slam singles title. In March she was the youngest to reach number one, and in July she became the youngest Wimbledon singles champion. Before she’d even turned 17, Hingis had won three of the year’s grand slam tennis titles and reached the final in the fourth.

Hingis continued to blaze a trail in women’s tennis, winning the Australian Open in 1998 and 1999 and holding the number one ranking for 209 weeks.

Hingis first underwent surgery on her right ankle in October 2001. Seven months later she needed a similar operation on her left ankle but fought her way back to reach the 2002 Australian Open final.

It looked as if the career of one of the most talented players the game had known was over. But after spending several years away from the game riding, skiing, and studying, Hingis announced her comeback in November 2005.

Many people thought that the arrival of more powerful women players on the tour would make it hard for Hingis to compete at the top. They didn’t reckon on the smart, determined and more relaxed player that Hingis had become. In her first season back, she made it back into the top 10 by beating the likes of Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova.



Personal details

Date of birth: 30 September 1980

Place of birth: Kosice, Slovakia

Height: 1.70

Weight: 59kg


Honours and achievements

WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Polio Eradication

2008: Retired from international competition

2007: Wins 43rd career singles

2006: Makes grand slam comeback at Australian Open

2002: Struggles to recover from ankle operation and announces retirement

Youngest woman ever to be ranked number 1 and holds rank for 209 weeks

Won Australian Open singles in 1998 and 1999

Won Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open in 1997

1993: Youngest-ever junior grand slam winner at French Open (aged 12)