Former tennis champion Martina Hingis announced her retirement for the second time on Thursday, amidst allegations that she failed a drug test. During a press conference in Zurich, Switzerland, the tearful 27-year-old said she was retiring due to injuries that have plagued her since she returned to tennis in 2006. Playing tennis had become more difficult and she hasn’t been able to return to the top form that made her a champion. Hip and back injuries held her back most of the summer, forcing her to withdraw from several tournaments, and she did not make it past the third round at Wimbledon. Hingis also said she was “shocked and appalled” when she learned of her positive test results from Wimbledon for cocaine, and denied ever taking drugs. She did not want to continue competing while also fighting a possible drug probe that was likely to occur.Hingis returned to tennis in 2006 after a three and a half year layoff to recover from burnout and injury and finished the year ranked No. 7. She was the youngest player to win a major tournament when she won the Australian Open in 1997 at age 16. She also won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that same year.
Desperate athletes do desperate things. There is no doubt in my mind that Hingis chose to take cocaine out of desperation to get herself through Wimbledon, but also knowing that she would likely get caught. Without the drug, Hingis probably would not have competed at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. Even before the Wimbledon tournament, Hingis had to know that her tennis career was ending, with or without drugs.
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