The former champion retired from professional tennis last year

The five-time grand slam winner will be part of the "legends" line up at the competition in Calderstones Park in the city in June.

Ms Hingis recently retired after being plagued with injury. She then failed a drug test and was given a two-year ban.

The 27-year-old said she looking forward to visiting the city.

She became the youngest singles champion at Wimbledon since Lottie Dodd in 1887, when she won the tournament aged 15 in 1997 beating Jana Novotna.

Martina, who also won nine grand slam doubles titles and is ranked as one of the 25 greatest players of the open era.

'Great boost'

She said: ''I have heard a lot about Liverpool over the years and all the fine work they have done up there to develop tennis in a region that is mostly famous for football.

"l am very much looking forward to playing the event and to seeing what's on offer in the European Capital of Culture.''

Tournament Director Anders Borg said: ''It's a great boost for us to have Martina playing in Liverpool.

"Her attitude on and outside court has always been superb. She still has a lot to offer the world of tennis and we are just very pleased we can take advantage of that."