Martina Hingis to retire for third time

World
Europe

Former tennis world number one Martina Hingis has announced her retirement for a third time.

The 37-year-old revealed the news on Thursday at the WTA Finals in Singapore, where she is playing in the women's doubles with partner Chan Yung-jan.

The Swiss retires ranked as the doubles world number one and as the holder of the US Open women's doubles title and mixed titles at Wimbledon and in New York.

"Looking back now, it's hard to believe that almost exactly 23 years ago I made my professional debut," Hingis posted on Facebook. "The years that followed have been some of the most rewarding years of my life, both personally and professionally, but I believe the time has come for me to retire, which I will be doing after my last match here in Singapore."

Hingis was a child prodigy and the youngest ever Grand Slam champion, winning the women's doubles with Helena Sukova at Wimbledon in 1996 at the age of just 15. The following year she dominated in singles, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles and reaching the French Open final. She was ranked world number one aged 16.

Martina Hingis was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. /Reuters Photo

But Hingis began to struggle with ankle problems and announced her retirement from tennis in 2003 aged just 22. Four years later she returned with more success, winning two WTA Tour singles events in 2006 and qualifying for the WTA Finals as well as winning her first mixed doubles grand slam title.

However, injuries began to take their toll once more. In November 2007 Hingis tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine at Wimbledon. She was given a two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation and retired again.

After being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the summer of 2013, Hingis returned for a third time and forged a hugely successful career in doubles, winning 10 more Grand Slam titles, taking her overall tally to 25.