Martina Hingis was born in Kosice, (Slovakia), on 30th September, 1980. She was born Martina Hingis due to her father, Karol Hingis. At this time, her mother was joined in matrimony, and thus named Hingis, but she has since changed her name twice, to Zogg, and later to Molitor.
Even at her young age, she can already be considered one of the greatest female tennis players ever. On March 31st, 1997, she became the youngest female player to ever be ranked #1
So, by the time she was 14, having left school, Martina was ready for professional tennis. She entered her first professional tournament on 3rd October, 1994, in Zurich, a mere 50 miles from her home. In her very first professional event she upset American veteran Patty Fendick in straight sets, and caused a young Mary Pierce considerable discomfort in the second round. She reached two quarterfinals in her next two events, and upset former top-ten player Helena Sukova.
By the end of 1994, Martina Hingis had broken into the world's top 100. A career had begun that was to bring achievement, glory, fame, admiration and wealth. And freedom. And such has been the nature of her life that a rather splendid young lady had been forged, a charming, self-aware, spontaneous girl, who realized just how lucky she was, and was determined to enjoy and cherish what she had.
She is one of only 17 players since 1970 to win 5 or more tournaments in one year. She also became the youngest Grandslam singles champion at 16 years and 3 months this century by winning the 1997 Australian Open, defeating Mary Pierce 6-2, 6-2.
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