Ladies First
By: Mark Wasserman

01/13/2006 Cupertino, California - Hingis is back…..and Seles may be as well. Two of the legends of the modern era could be dusting off their racquets in 2006, and women’s professional tennis is better for it.

In their primes, Monica and Martina were the unquestioned best players in the game.  Now? They’re shadows of their former selves. Hingis seems committed to making a return to her glory days, but Seles is more hesitant. On her website, Monica says "I'm still training and still trying, but at the same time I'm realistic.  After 2006, if not, then it's pretty sure. You have to move on." Monica is well aware that with a questionable foot at age 32, this is likely her last chance.  After everything she has been through, she’ll certainly have plenty of people in her corner rooting for her.

The expectations for Hingis, of course, are higher. Sure, she has been away from the game for several years and will have plenty of rust to shake off, but a tennis player never loses the muscle memory of how to hit a stroke. Within a year, her strokes and shot making ability will once again match anyone in the game. The question with Martina, though, is the same as it was during the last couple years she played. How will she handle the ever-increasing physicality of the women’s game? Coming off a serious foot injury and an extended leave of absence from the tour, this question is more pertinent than ever. To contend at the Slams, the “Swiss Miss” will have to be lucky enough to have her health hold up. And, if her health holds up, she will have to dedicate herself to strength and fitness to a greater extent than she has ever done before. 

In a way, her time away from the tour should help her out. Time away from a sport can help athletes rediscover their passion for the sport. Instead of a never-ending grind that began at 3 or 4 years old, tennis may become a fresh, invigorating challenge to return to the sport she loves.  And, as we all know, Martina isn’t exactly a fan of losing.

Assuming her health holds up, look for Hingis to return to the top 10 within 2 years, if not sooner. The big question, though, is if she can bring home her sixth grand slam title.  Getting to the quarters of tournaments is not likely to be satisfying to a competitor that has grown accustomed to defeating all comers. It would take some luck to bring home a sixth Slam, but it’s not out of the question. As creative and talented a player as Martina is, she will never have the power of players like the Williams sisters, Sharapova, and Davenport. And no matter how much she works out, she will never have the athleticism of Henin-Hardenne or Clijsters. If any of those players plays their best, Hingis will lose.  But with a break or two in the draw, who knows…………  

Press Contact:
Mark Wasserman
marcusjwass@gmail.com
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