MoTown
11-01-2007, 02:09 PM
Hingis says she's innocent after testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon
ESPN.com news services
Updated: November 1, 2007, 1:55 PM ET
ZURICH, Switzerland -- Former world No. 1 Martina Hingis said on Thursday she had tested positive for cocaine during Wimbledon this year.
The 27-year-old five-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland told a news conference she was retiring from professional tennis.
"I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent," Hingis said in a brief statement.
Hingis lost in the third round at Wimbledon this year to Laura Granville, 6-4, 6-2.
The Swiss star returned to the sport two years ago after a four-year absence because of injuries. She won three straight Australian Open titles from 1997-99, and Wimbledon and the U.S. Open championships in 1997.
Hingis, who lost in the third round of the U.S. Open, hasn't played since her second-round loss to Peng Shuai of China, 7-5, 6-1, in Beijing on Sept. 19.
"The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities," Hingis said.
"Because of my age and my health problems I have also decided to retire from professional tennis."
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Awesome.
ESPN.com news services
Updated: November 1, 2007, 1:55 PM ET
ZURICH, Switzerland -- Former world No. 1 Martina Hingis said on Thursday she had tested positive for cocaine during Wimbledon this year.
The 27-year-old five-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland told a news conference she was retiring from professional tennis.
"I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent," Hingis said in a brief statement.
Hingis lost in the third round at Wimbledon this year to Laura Granville, 6-4, 6-2.
The Swiss star returned to the sport two years ago after a four-year absence because of injuries. She won three straight Australian Open titles from 1997-99, and Wimbledon and the U.S. Open championships in 1997.
Hingis, who lost in the third round of the U.S. Open, hasn't played since her second-round loss to Peng Shuai of China, 7-5, 6-1, in Beijing on Sept. 19.
"The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities," Hingis said.
"Because of my age and my health problems I have also decided to retire from professional tennis."
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Awesome.