Q. Why have you come back and what
have you missed the most?
MARTINA HINGIS: For different
reasons. The main reason was when I was helping Anastasia last year,
she ended up winning a singles tournament and ended up winning the
Madrid tournaments in doubles.
We also practice together. We played
a practice set against Vesnina/Makarova. I thought maybe I still had
some matches in me and maybe I should try that.
Obviously it worked out great with
Sabine in Miami. That was my dream to come true that I was still
hoping to be able to win big events as we did in Miami. So that's
why.
Q. Did you ever think of coming
back in singles as well or no?
MARTINA HINGIS: No, that's a whole
different story. Doubles you have a half court to cover. That's
enough already sometimes. It's not only the pressure that you have,
but it's the physical part.
This is a lot easier just to play
doubles, yes. Sometimes like TeamTennis I play some singles, but
it's only one set. It's completely different format which suits me
really well.
But, yeah, no, you have to have a
completely different attitude and dedication to play singles.
Q. We're seeing players from the
'90s. What is it that's allowing players like yourself to keep
playing like Kimiko Date?
MARTINA HINGIS: You can't compare
Kimiko Date to normal people. I think she's a real exception. She really gets hot, is
more into travel, is still able to produce amazing tennis.
She was running marathons when she
wasn't playing. I wouldn't do that. I admire people who are so into
sports and great athletes like she is. That's the only way you can
survive.
Q. Do you see yourself playing at
this level?
MARTINA HINGIS: I don't want to play
one or two matches. I'm there to win the tournaments, not just to
participate. That was not me, whether I played in the past, when I
had the comeback.
Already in my comeback, I was 10 years younger,
like I won a couple tournaments. I felt like I had a chance to win a
Grand Slam. But I wouldn't do it if I didn't feel like I had a
chance to do that.
Q. There's a big rising star in
Canada that's coming up, Eugenie Bouchard. What do you know of her?
MARTINA HINGIS: I liked her a lot
since the first time I watched her and played her like in Liverpool
exhibition like four years ago. I said right away,
This is somebody
I would love to work with. She is a great player, has a great
attitude about the game, about the tennis, about her progress.
I think she always had great
potential. Now she proved it. She always peaks really at the Grand
Slams, which shows that she can be a true champion.
Q. Second tournament with Flavia.
Talk about your partnership.
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I was lucky to
get her for Wimbledon, then we realized it's a good chemistry, it's a
good fit. We complement each other.
Today was not always the best tennis,
not everything was perfect. But a win is a win, so I'm happy.
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