DESPITE dominating the world of women’s tennis in her teens, Martina Hingis surprised even herself by how successful her return as a doubles player has been
“I wasn’t prepared for it at all and was a bit scared of how it would turn out,” laughs Martina, who won Wimbledon aged 17. She had already retired twice though had come back in recent years in various singles and doubles tournaments.
Then German player Sabine Lisicki, whom she was coaching, asked her to team up to play doubles.
“We went on to win the Sony Open in Miami this year and it was a big relief to win because I felt I’d proved myself all over again. I could still win the big tournaments and who doesn’t like winning?”
She says her secret was maintaining the fitness she’d built up from childhood and having a healthy lifestyle which meant she could pick up maybe not quite where she left off but still considerably higher up the ladder than many of her competitors.
Tennis had always been her destiny. Her parents Melanie Molitorová and Karol Hingis were top players in the former Czechoslovakia and she was named after the other famous Martina (Navratilova). She entered her first tournament at four and in 1993 when she was 12 became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam junior title.
Martina went on to win five Grand Slam titles before she was 19 and is still the youngest champion at Wimbledon at 17.
“I’d always been incredibly active and I’d always played sport,” says Martina, who is based near Zurich, Switzerland.
“It’s all I’ve known all my life so I wasn’t out of shape and I didn’t have to start training from scratch.
In the intervening years I’ve been coaching tennis players but I’ve also done a lot of skiing and riding my horses. I like being active. If I spend too much time in one place I get itchy feet.”
Sporting injuries are often the price that professionals have to pay for their success and it was problems with her ankle that eventually forced Martina, who emigrated to Switzerland when she was seven with her mother, to retire for the first time at the age of 22.
She returned to tennis in 2005 before retiring a second time in 2007. EVERYTHING in moderation is her mantra when it comes to diet.
“I have a healthy lifestyle. My body is my most important tool and my number one priority so I take care of it. I eat as healthily as possible but I do like to have a little bit of everything and being Swiss I love my chocolate," she said.
"I eat fish, meat, pasta, vegetables and salads. “I love Japanese food, a good curry or a steak. I try to have red meat once or twice a week. I also like chocolate fudge cake with a good vanilla ice cream.”
Since entering her 30s Martina has adapted her diet and while she still enjoys bread and pasta, she reveals: “I now have a rule of not eating carbohydrates after 2pm. I’ve never needed to diet because I’m so active. “I weigh myself. If I’m a little bit more than 58kgs (around 9st) I just cut back on desserts for a day or two and go for a half-hour run.
That usually helps me to burn off a pound or two. I’m 5ft 7in tall so I can afford to eat. I think about my health a lot more now. I want to look good when I look in the mirror. “I didn’t give it any thought at all when I was 17 and when I look back at the photos of when I won Wimbledon I laugh at my baby fat.”
As well as daily chocolate Martina enjoys a glass of wine or champagne now and then. However she confesses that she drinks only water when she is training and sparkling water with dinner. “I have such a sweet tooth,” she admits. “I love iced tea and sweet drinks.”
When feeling tired or stressed Martina escapes to the stables for a couple of hours. “Being around my horses, especially my favourite Ragana, calms me down.
“They give me a feeling of balance. I love getting out into the countryside on a horse and being at one with nature. That’s what calms me down.
“My other trick when I’m stressed is to go for a fast walk or slow jog on the beach or in the forest. That’s often when I get my best ideas.” When she’s competing Martina enjoys massages and physiotherapy.
“I also look after my legs and feet.
I’ve discovered Nelsons Arnicare products. Arnica cooling gel is lovely after a workout. My feet get such a pounding and the gel makes them feel good. “When I travel I love a hotel with a spa. Sauna, steam and Jacuzzi are my favourite things. I find them so relaxing and I sleep so well afterwards.”
express.co.uk
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