 Hingis bowed out of the sport in 2002 because of injuries |
Former world number one Martina Hingis will return to professional tennis next year more than three years since retiring from the sport. The 25-year-old Swiss star quit at the end of 2002 after a series of recurring injury problems.
But she said in a statement on Tuesday: "I was never happy my injuries cut my career short and ultimately forced my decision to step away from tennis.
"I've enjoyed my time away - it's let me experience a new side of life."
She added: "I miss the game and the challenge of competing at the highest level of tennis, and I want to gauge whether I can stay healthy and compete against today's top players."
Hingis, who won a total of five Grand Slam titles during her career, made an earlier unsuccessful attempt to return to the circuit last February.
She was eliminated 1-6 6-2 6-2 from the first round of the low level WTA Pattaya tournament by German Marlene Weingartner. Hingis has won 76 career singles and doubles titles and became the youngest world number one at 16�.
She captured her first of 40 WTA singles titles at Filderstadt in 1996 and claimed her first major crown a few months later at the 1997 Australian Open.
More Grand Slam titles followed that year with success at Wimbledon and the US Open
She defended her Australian Open crown in 1998 and won her third in a row at Melbourne in 1999.
"Martina Hingis is one of the game's great champions and unique personalities," said WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott.
"Martina is looking forward to the challenge of playing a competitive schedule of events.
"Martina's return will add another level of excitement to the sport and enhance the incredible rivalries and roster of big-name stars."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Martina's return will add another level of excitement to the sport
