Champions Roger Federer, Martina Hingis pairing on the agenda for Olympics 2012 – Tennis News
Following the announcement in 2009 about the inclusion of mixed doubles as the fifth tennis event at the 2012 Olympics in London, the tennis world kicked into frenzied action. Rumours, discussions and negotiations about possible
pairings flooded the news; with the most notable pairing announced between Andy Roddick and Serena Williams shortly after the pronouncement. But now reports have surfaced about the possible doubles tandem of Swiss Tennis Superstars World No. 3 Roger Federer
and the retired Martina Hingis, who has shown willingness to take the centre stage once again.
One of Hingis’ agents Phil de Picciotto, privy to the affair, has told SI.com that the rumours are indeed true and that discussions between the two parties and relevant authorities are being held to sort out the legalities. The
Swiss Tennis association is decidedly excited about the prospects of Switzerland’s lone shining stars pairing up to represent the country and association’s president Rene Stammbach will be meeting 16 time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer’s camp for “having
conversations with the parties involved on that potential subject.”
Former No.1 Martina Hingis who has been in and out of retirement once before, has been playing exceptional tennis in the World Team Tennis (WTT) tournaments and was visibly elated after effectively defeating a lacklustre Serena
Williams at the New York Sport Times final. Talking to The Daily Forehand, Hingis showed uncharacteristic nervousness when broached upon the pairing subject but admitted that the Federer camp had already asked her about it. “Not him, personally, but...I mean,
they (Federer’s representatives) asked that question...We're still a long way away, so...”
However, to take a chance at Olympic Gold, Hingis needs the consent of the International Tennis Federation. She definitely needs to rejoin the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour again and there is also a clause which bars any
player who has not played either the Davis or Fed Cup for four consecutive years from representing their country in the Olympics. Hence, Hingis must ensure presence in next year’s edition of the Fed Cup and for that she needs to climb the rankings table fast.
Additionally, Hingis needs to ensure her availability for anti-doping testing at least three months prior to the Olympics but she can also do so while being out of the tournament circuit. In the end it all boils down to Swiss Tennis’
benevolence to help her clear the path back to top glory.
If Hingis clears all the hurdles, she stands a fair chance at making a comeback on the grass courts of Wimbledon – the designated venue for the tennis matches during the London Olympics. It was at Wimbledon, during the 2007 tournament,
where her last serious attempt at reviving her career came to a humiliating end when she was tested positive for cocaine.
Federer has already secured the Olympic Gold back in 2008, when his career was on its lowest ebb and the win had been instrumental in helping him surge back once again. If the pair – Federer and Hingis win again and indeed they
stand a fair chance, another medal might just prove to be the much needed elixir for Federer to bounce back to No.1. Hingis never won an Olympic medal before. The two had paired up to win the Hopman Cup title for Switzerland in 2001.
In her last comeback bid in 2006, she propelled back into the top 10 in a matter of weeks and her fans are adamant that she still packs a punch.
If this pairing does indeed get the green light, this has to be the most exciting tennis news in a while.
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