COMING back to Adelaide for Tuesday's World Tennis Challenge was a "no brainer" for tennis royalty Martina Hingis and Martina Navratilova.
They touched down yesterday and will thrill crowds over the next three nights when they join men's legends like Mats Wilander, Pat Cash and Yannick Noah in exhibition matches at Memorial Drive.
The two Martinas, holders of 23 grand slam singles titles between them, both said it was an easy decision to return to SA, after being won over by its knowledgeable tennis crowd and wineries in 2013.
"My first tournament ever in Australia was here in 1974 and it was just so nice to come back to the same place last year,'' Navratilova said. "The crowd was so great, they really appreciated us. They appreciate good tennis and it made it so much fun to play."
Hingis said playing with Navratalova, whom she was named after, was still a thrill.
The 33-year-old tentatively came out of retirement this year to play in a handful of WTA doubles events, but is looking forward to a more relaxed atmosphere here.
A big fan of SA's wineries, Hingis also hopes to sneak up to the Hills to partake in one of her other loves - horse riding.
"It was a great experience here last year, going to the vineyards and playing in front of such a great crowd in Adelaide,'' she said.
"It was great fun playing with Martina and I think we played some good tennis, which is what it's all about."
heraldsun.com.au
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