Martina Hingis retires over cocaine allegations

by rickflint56 | November 15, 2007 at 11:20 pm

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Give Martina Hingis a Break

Last week, it was revealed
that Hingis came up positive for cocaine in a test conducted last
summer at Wimbledon. She followed up that disclosure by calling a press
conference and tearfully announcing her retirement from pro tennis. She
stated that since fighting the charges would totally consume her life,
she decided instead to retire, despite declaring her innocence.

On Sunday, WTA Tour president Stacy Allaster was at the Sony Ericsson Championships, and expressed support for Hingis:

“I personally haven’t seen her, but she’s part of our
tennis family, and I’m glad she joined us here,” Allaster said, noting
Hingis’ surprise appearance at the event, which she won twice in her
career. “Martina was a great champion, a very accomplished athlete. Our
sport has been very fortunate to have Ms. Hingis.

Allaster also stated, however, that the women’s tour would only get
involved after doping authorities issue a report on the matter.

“We’ll let that process happen independently, and then,
depending on the findings of the tennis anti-doping committee, we’ll be
there to support Martina.”

Talk about driving on both sides of the street.

Meanwhile, Justin Henin won the tournament, downing Maria Sharapova
5-7, 7-5, 6-3, in what was the longest three-set final in tourney
history. It was Henin’s 10th title of the year and earned her another
$1 million, as she became the first woman to pass $5 million in a
year’s earnings.