Lindsay Davenport issues warning on Hingis

HONG KONG – World number one Lindsay Davenport yesterday warned that the jury was still out on Martina Hingis’ return to competitive tennis, despite victory in her comeback match this week.

Davenport said Hingis, who beat world number 62 Maria Vento-Kabchi 6-2, 6-1 at the Australian women’s hardcourt tournament, would find it tough to bounce back after three years on the sidelines. “She was a phenomenal player when she was active, I think it adds another great storyline to women’s tennis and I think it’s going to be very interesting to see how she comes back after a couple of years away from the game,” said Davenport ahead of this week’s Champions Challenge invitational.”We will see in the next few months how Martina is able to cope with that.It’s hard to say now, it’s a very tough sport.”Martina is one of the best players that ever played but she wouldn’t be coming back if she didn’t feel she was able to make this transition.”The Swiss former world number one won five Grand Slams before announcing her retirement in 2002 with ankle, foot and heel injuries.Hingis, who will play seventh-seeded Czech Klara Koukalova on Wednesday, gave herself an eight of 10 for her opening performance at the Gold Coast tournament.”Under the circumstances in the heat and not having played for three years, I’d say an eight (out of 10), other times even better,” said the 25-year-old.”I don’t know what else I should have done today better than what I did.The score says it all.”She received broad support from the players here, who include world number two Kim Clijsters, the Williams sisters, Elena Dementieva and Indian sensation Sania Mirza.”I think it’s great, I’m actually rooting for her – unless of course she plays me,” said Serena Williams.”I think it’s exciting news,” said her sister Venus.”Anything that’s an addition to women’s tennis is awesome and I think she’ll do well.”World number eight Dementieva, who demolished Hingis in Filderstadt shortly before she retired, described her as one of the great stars of women’s tennis.”She’s one of the best players of all time and I’m very glad to see her trying to come back – she’s still one of the most popular players in the world,” said the Russian.The eight-player Champions Challenge begins on Wednesday.- Nampa-AFP”She was a phenomenal player when she was active, I think it adds another great storyline to women’s tennis and I think it’s going to be very interesting to see how she comes back after a couple of years away from the game,” said Davenport ahead of this week’s Champions Challenge invitational.”We will see in the next few months how Martina is able to cope with that.It’s hard to say now, it’s a very tough sport.”Martina is one of the best players that ever played but she wouldn’t be coming back if she didn’t feel she was able to make this transition.”The Swiss former world number one won five Grand Slams before announcing her retirement in 2002 with ankle, foot and heel injuries.Hingis, who will play seventh-seeded Czech Klara Koukalova on Wednesday, gave herself an eight of 10 for her opening performance at the Gold Coast tournament.”Under the circumstances in the heat and not having played for three years, I’d say an eight (out of 10), other times even better,” said the 25-year-old.”I don’t know what else I should have done today better than what I did.The score says it all.”She received broad support from the players here, who include world number two Kim Clijsters, the Williams sisters, Elena Dementieva and Indian sensation Sania Mirza.”I think it’s great, I’m actually rooting for her – unless of course she plays me,” said Serena Williams.”I think it’s exciting news,” said her sister Venus.”Anything that’s an addition to women’s tennis is awesome and I think she’ll do well.”World number eight Dementieva, who demolished Hingis in Filderstadt shortly before she retired, described her as one of the great stars of women’s tennis.”She’s one of the best players of all time and I’m very glad to see her trying to come back – she’s still one of the most popular players in the world,” said the Russian.The eight-player Champions Challenge begins on Wednesday.- Nampa-AFP