«Living one's passions and constantly pursuing one's goal or projects. Hold on to your dreams with all your strength, in an environment that supports you: a family, friends who accompany you during your growth journey with a dose of healthy realism, because results are built one after another, without forge ahead» (Martina Hingis).
Martina Hingis left tennis six years ago when she led the world doubles rankings. What are you doing today?
«I am a happy mother who devotes most of her time to my daughter Lia, who was born shortly after my retirement. She is an energetic 4-year-old who demands a lot of attention. In her I see the interest I have had in physical activity since I was a child and I allow her to experience everything that attracts her, starting from walks on the back of her pony or my horse Regan, to skating, skiing, sledges, outdoor excursions, swimming».
And the racket?
«Take it easy, I don't push her. Lia is included in a group of children who also practice a few strokes of tennis in a fun context, which includes games based above all on physical development through movement and balance. She is committed to what she does and she also loves contact with animals ».
At her age, mother Martina was already on the pitch…
«I grew up with a much more focused profile, in which tennis represented the aspiration for many kids of the then Czechoslovakia. My mom Melanie was a golfer and I followed her during her work, as a professional and as an instructor. There were about forty children competing for a place in just five fields, we alternated between doubles and singles. It was the best. Otherwise we played hide and seek or other pastimes. Lia deserves patience to understand this family sport, if she wants to play tennis I will support her. Or, of course, if you choose to do something else.'
How was the transition from the height of notoriety to the normality of daily life?
«I believe that for every professional used to carrying out an important job for himself, be it a manager, a lawyer or a tennis player, the end of his career represents a not indifferent moment of pause. Only the search for something new that can satisfy you is an almost immediate way to go. In my case, it's definitely my daughter Lia. The best gift tennis has given me is the time I can now spend with her, also because I have decided to reduce my international commitments. One day I'll travel with Lia and show her the world I've been lucky enough to know through my tournaments."
Is tennis always part of your life?
«I train regularly and follow four talents together with my mother, including a 14-year-old who is already number one in the world in her age group. I've been observing her progress for five years, it's a different feeling of happiness from the one I felt when I was playing, but it's also wonderful ».
With Roger Federer she was the ambassador of a small nation on the world sports scene. Switzerland will be grateful to you for life…
«Honestly, the Swiss people are a little more lukewarm with their sports idols than other countries, starting with Germany at the time of Boris Becker or Steffi Graf. For my part, I am very proud of what I have done for the Swiss colours, including the silver medal won with Timea Bacsinszky at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro».
And Roger?
«We see each other often, his children come to the school where I teach, in Wollerau, the town where he has settled with his family. What we have lived in the last 25 years is a dream, thanks also to Stan Wawrinka. Swiss tennis has benefited enormously from this era and several young talents bode well».
To witness the epic challenges with the Williams sisters or with Nadal and Djokovic we will still have to be patient for a long time. Real?
«With Venus, Serena, Mary Pierce, Conchita Martinez and the phenomena of the men's circuit we have created memorable matches that have won the hearts of all fans. It is obvious that a certain melancholy arises when everything ends».
Her will to win was already manifested at an early age when she beat her mother's adult pupils. His winning mentality then took her to the end of the world thanks to an extraordinary talent and an enviable consistency. What's the formula?
«You simply have to dare, always with the desire to win. The tools are preparation, hard training day after day which gives you the awareness of being able to experiment with different strategies, the ability to analyze to adapt to the characteristics of those who want to beat you. The mastery of your means allows you to keep calm even in the most difficult moments, because a great performance is often also a tough experience, a waiting game, in which you have to seize the moment when the opponent shows a weakness or concedes an inaccuracy. In short, you have to come up with an idea that the person in front of you doesn't have, if possible with a ready-made plan B or C. It also works in everyday life, where the tendency is to deal with a competitive spirit, without forgetting a healthy dose of fun».
In his two comebacks in 2006 and 2013 he amazed by his ability to dominate the pressure, the stress that often betrays even the champions. Where does this serene inner strength come from?
“When I entered the tennis world circuit, my young age definitely helped. People greeted my results with amazement and every victory was truly a success. In the long run, security comes from the ability to nurture your talent with perseverance and concentration, so you can always rely on your qualities in extreme situations, without doubting. At the origin of a crisis, talent is never questioned, it is external factors that determine a moment of difficulty or distraction, such as social media for example. Today we even think of a selfie to be posted immediately after a game, without first indulging in the relaxation of a shower. Those who always have their goals in focus, to be achieved every day with realism, and rely on a healthy balance within their entourage, hardly go haywire. Then, at the highest levels, one inevitably has to deal with age».
At 37, he ended his career at the top of the world doubles rankings. What a feat!
«I came back by chance, I just had to train. Then I found myself around and I was even amazed at myself. Doubles requires less physical intensity than singles, even if the speed of its exchanges imposes extraordinary reflexes. It was certainly another beautiful stage in my journey, I'm proud of it».
What is the strongest feeling that accompanies you in your daily life today?
«The desire to pass on to others those experiences that I was lucky enough to have thanks to tennis. For me, giving is a feeling of joy and well-being».
Martina Hingis, at the top of world tennis up to 37 years old
Martina hingis was born on 30 September 1980 in Kosice, in what was then Czechoslovakia, and arrived in Switzerland at the age of eight with her mother Melanie Molitor, a tennis professional who also followed her in her sporting growth. «I am grateful to my mother for all that she gave and taught me with love and dedication. Tennis has allowed me to discover the world, have unique experiences and have a better life. Today she is also a wonderful grandmother ».
Her talent was immediately evident, so much so that at the age of 12 she won the Roland Garros junior tournament in Paris, still the youngest ever today.
Her first Grand Slam title (in doubles) came at Wimbledon in 1996, aged 15. His most successful season was 1997, when she triumphed at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, also reaching the final of the French Internationals. In the same year she became the youngest number one in history, earning the recognition of European sportswoman. In 1998 and 1999, both in Melbourne, she won her two other Grand Slam titles. «When I watch these tournaments on television, I would like to be there as the emotions are still strong. An indelible period of my career.
In February 2003, following foot surgery the previous year, Martina Hingis announced her retirement, at the age of 22. After a comeback in early 2006 that lifted her to sixth place in the world rankings, she again took a break in November 2007.
In 2013 she returned to the top in doubles and mixed, also conquering the Olympic silver together with Timea Bacsinszky in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. At the end of 2017, at the age of 37, she definitively ended her career at the top of the world ranking in double. She has won a total of 25 Grand Slam titles: 5 in singles, 13 in doubles and 7 in mixed doubles.
Martina Hingis is one of seven players who reached the WTA top spot in both singles and doubles. Only she, Martina Navratilova and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario managed to do it simultaneously.
Numerous his exceptional fans such as athletics icons Ed Moses, Carl Lewis and Maurice Green, the skaters Katarina Witt and Midori Ito, and the Princess of England Kate. «The charm of Wimbledon is unique, but as a player I was often confronted with the tantrums of the time and without the coverage of the fields it was difficult to maintain a constant performance».
Martina Hingis, Cupra ambassador in Switzerland
Its popularity is still at the highest levels, so much so that the most important sports management agency in the world, the Octagon of Washington, takes care of its international image, while Rolf Huser (formerly a cycling professional) takes care of its public relations in Switzerland . «I always receive interesting requests and for me it is important to be able to rely on specialists who facilitate my contacts. Participating in the Wimbledon tournament of legends, for example, gratifies me and whoever presents me with a detailed program helps me in my everyday life in which my daughter Lia has priority».
Martina Hingis is at the disposal of «Lux Tennis», a private coaching agency that offers exclusive lessons in luxury hotels around the world (which in Switzerland belongs to «La Réserve» in Geneva and «Bürgenstock» in Lucerne ) and dedicates herself to the role of ambassador of the Cupra brand. The national campaign has also proved to be a success for the approach to padel, which the new Spanish brand is committed to spreading internationally: «The rigid padel racket is always in my car, I sometimes happen to practice this too an emerging sport, a discipline between squash and tennis that is accessible to all». And she is very satisfied with her Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid. «It assures me a guide that respects the environment and is sporty at the same time». Martina also supports the Swiss company Batmaid.ch, an intermediary for cleaning services.
