Martina's fashionable role
When Martina Hingis was a girl, its wasn't a tennis player she wanted to be, but a model.
But as the world's No 1 woman player she has fulfilled her ambition by posing for fashion spreads in Elle magazine and being on the cover of GQ.
'I had so much fun doing the GQ cover . . . I love putting on make-up and getting my hair done, and at least people can see me in a glamorous way,' she said.
And who can blame Martina for wanting to look glamorous once in a while? On court, the only thing she puts on her face is sunblock cream because 'my nose is always peeling'.
Martina is coming to Hong Kong for the first time on Wednesday to play in the Watson's Water Millennium Cup at Victoria Park.
Her aim is to bring more fun into the game.
'I think women's tennis has improved a great deal in the past two years,' she says, adding that unlike men's tennis, the women's game has so many colourful personalities.
But Martina admits that after having achieved success so early - she was world No 1 at just 16 - she fell into a rut.
'Everything came when I was very young, and when you feel too comfortable with yourself, you look elsewhere.' This explains her drop from top spot when she developed 'other interests', which included a boyfriend.
'I wanted to feel like a woman and not just a tennis player. If you are not happy in your private life, you won't be good at anything.' But she quickly recovered her top ranking and has found new motivation for winning. Away from tennis, Martina admits she loves shopping, which explains why she's looking forward to coming to Hong Kong.
'I love Gucci, Armani and Versace,' she said.
For tickets to the Watson's event, telephone 2734 9009.
