Hingis calls it quits

Former Swiss world number one Martina Hingis addresses a press conference where she announced her retirement from tennis in Glattbrugg on Thursday.Photo: AFP

Switzerland's Martina Hingis announced her retirement from tennis here on Thursday after admitting she is under investigation for a positive test for cocaine.
Hingis told a news conference that she failed a drugs test during this year's Wimbledon.
"I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent," Hingis said.
"The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities."
Hingis remained calm while reading a prepared statement to the press, although her voice was cracking with emotion.
She added: "When I was informed I had failed my 'A' test following my defeat at Wimbledon I was shocked and appalled.
"I have no desire to spend the next seven years fighting doping officials. I'm frustrated and angry, and accusations such as these don't provide me with the motivation to continue.
"Because of my age and my health problems I have also decided to retire from professional tennis."
It is the second time that Hingis, one of the teenaged stars of the game in the 1990s, has retired from the professional circuit.
The 27-year-old Swiss star, who has five Grand Slams to her name, first retired in 2003 due to persistent ankle injury problems.
She returned to the top flight in 2006, but despite showing her potential by winning three titles she has struggled to recover from a string of injuries and health-related problems.
Hingis brought her season to a premature end last month because of hip problems but had vowed to return to action.
She ended 2006 ranked seventh in the world and is currently ranked 19th.
Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA Tour, said in a statement that he had no idea what Hingis was talking about regarding a positive test.
"The WTA Tour has not received any official information regarding the positive doping test result referred to by Martina Hingis in her press conference and as a result we are not in a position to comment on the matter," Scott said.
"However, it is important to remember that in the area of anti-doping, all players are presumed innocent until proven otherwise."
Scott praised Hingis for her outstanding career.
"Martina Hingis is a tremendous champion and a fan favourite the world over," he said. "In her most recent comeback, she proved again that she can perform at the very highest levels of the game. Martina will always be respected."
FACTFILE
Surname: Hingis
First name: Martina
Date of birth: 30/09/80
Birth place: Kosice (Slovakia)
Nationality: Swiss
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 59 kg
Right-hand, two-handed backhand
Ranking: 19th at 29/10/2007
Best ranking: 1st
Tournament victories: 43 in singles, 37 in doubles
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Grand Slam tournaments:

Australian Open: champion (1997, 1998, 1999), finalist (2000, 2001, 2002)
US Open: champion (1997), finalist (1998, 1999), semifinalist (1996, 2000, 2001)
Wimbledon: champion (1997), semifinalist (1998)
French Open: finalist (1997, 1999), semifinalist (1998, 2000, 2001)
Career earnings: 20,130,657 dollars (13,935,012 euros)