Sport

Martina Hingis at the Ladies Open in Biel: "You have other interests at 17"

27/02/2017 written by Cécile Klotzbach
Martina Hingis won her first Grand Slam match twenty years ago. And the 22-time major winner is still active today - soon also as the figurehead of the Ladies Open Biel.

event: Martina Hingis, what are your best memories of playing in front of a home crowd?Martina Hingis: "My appearances as a teenager at the Zurich tournament - initially in the Saalsporthalle. I was recently given a folder with all the photos and worldwide newspaper articles about me. That was 22 years ago, when I was 14 - it's incredible! Back then, the interest from Swiss fans was huge. My highlight was of course when I finally won after losing two finals in 2000."

What does it mean to you to have a home tournament in Biel again?
"Playing in Switzerland is a good opportunity to show yourself in a good light outside of the Grand Slams. After our double success with silver at the Olympics in Rio, there was a huge response in Switzerland. There were people watching on TV who normally never watch tennis. I was approached so often - in my home town, in the stables, in the restaurant, in the store, on the street! Everyone asked, when are you playing in Switzerland again? When is the Fed Cup again? Now I can say: Come to Biel - there's first-class women's tennis with Belinda Bencic, Viktorija Golubic and me!"

Why hasn't there been a women's tournament in Switzerland for so long?
"It's a shame, but there was simply too much entertainment on offer in Zurich. And we need good Swiss singles players like Belinda, Viktorija or Timea Bacsinszky. I was away from the tour for a long time. But most people think it's cool that I'm now successful in doubles."

Are you proud to still be a figurehead today?
"Of course, what I've achieved has never been seen before or since among women in Switzerland. There was a surge after me - and we became a tennis nation with Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Belinda and Timea. This era probably began with me as the first Grand Slam winner. It would be great if this became a tradition in our small country. Of course, our stars are loners, exceptional talents. But they get a good foundation in the Swiss association."

Do you enjoy the game more today than you used to under the pressure of playing as an individual?
"Not more fun - I already enjoyed playing tennis back then. But you have different interests at 17 than you do at 36. The last two years have been incredible, a bonus. I'm no longer at the limit like I used to be when I played singles and doubles. I can experience and enjoy other things. And there's more time for tasks besides tennis for sponsors and tournament promotion."

Like being an ambassador for the Ladies Open in Biel ...
"Yes, I'm really looking forward to it. I advise the organizers on the needs of the players. On the choice of accommodation, leisure activities or other details that will make their stars happy. At the tournament itself, I will also be available for activities with sponsors, fans or even with the youngest visitors on Kids Day. In the past, such commitments were more of a burden. Now the time has come to give back what Swiss tennis has given me."

Ladies Open: ladies with clout

Holding the Ladies Open in Biel as one of the last indoor tournaments of the spring guarantees the organizing committee an attractive field of participants. In addition to the top Swiss ladies Martina Hingis, Belinda Bencic and Viktorija Golubic, other world-class talents are expected. With 32 players in the main draw, 32 in qualifying and 32 players in doubles, the line-up is impressive. The winner can look forward to prize money of 250,000 dollars.

The venue is the newly built tennis arena with space for up to 2,500 fans. Swiss Tennis is thus expanding its training facilities and can also host its own and third-party events here. "The capacity was deliberately kept so 'small'," says Swiss Tennis Managing Director Stefan Flückiger. "Various locations and halls have already proven their worth for larger in-house events such as the Fed Cup or Davis Cup. The size of the new hall is almost ideal for smaller and medium-sized events such as tennis matches and other events, and we also believe that the capacity meets the requirements."

WTA LADIES OPEN 2017
10. to 16. 4.17, Swiss Tennis Center Biel
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Translated with DeepL