Hingis may be forced to quit
Martina Hingis, who won Wimbledon at the age of 16, may be forced to end her career only five years on because of a serious foot injury.
According to her doctor, she is suffering severe pain in her feet, left knee and left hip and is unable to train on court. She is undergoing tests which will determine her future.
Dr Heinz Buhlmann, who is treating the former Swiss champion in a Zurich clinic, said: "We have to see how far the inflammation in the joints already has led to arthrosis ( osteoarthritis). We cannot yet say how sensible it would be for her to continue her career or whether to end it would be advisable on medical grounds."
Hingis's mother, Melanie Molitor, said she thought the damage had been caused by shoes worn by Hingis in the early part of her career.
Hingis, who has not won a Grand Slam title since 1999, filed a £29 million lawsuit against Sergio Tacchini in June last year, claiming the shoes she wore between 1996 and 1999 were "defective" and "unsuitable for competition".
The five-times Grand Slam champion missed the German Open last week as well as this week's Italian Open. Ms Molitor admitted that it was unlikely her daughter would compete in the French Open, which begins on 27 May.
The results of the tests on Hingis are due next week and whatever the outcome her manager Mario Widmer said she will be "80 per cent" likely to miss the French Open Roland Garros, which starts in 12 days. He said: "We want to resolve this once and for all. Only one week of
training before Roland Garros is not enough."
The French Open is the only Grand Slam Hingis has yet to capture. World number one Venus Williams could join Hingis on the sidelines at Roland Garros, suffering from a wrist injury.
Hingis played her first competition at four. By 14 she joined the professional circuit. In 1996 she made Wimbledon history by becoming the youngest player to win a championship event, the ladies doubles. A year later she won the singles title. She has earned almost £13million during her career.
