RETIRED tennis superstar Martina Hingis will hit the court at West Vancouver's Hollyburn Country Club Aug. 1 for an exhibition match during this year's Odlum Brown VanOpen.
Hingis won five grand Slam singles titles during an incredible career that saw her become the youngest world No. 1-ranked player when she took top spot in 1997 at the age of 16. She spent 209 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world and won 43 WTA singles titles before ankle injuries forced her to retire in 2003 at the age of 22.
This week VanOpen organizers announced Hingis will make an appearance at the tournament on July 31 to launch her new line of clothing, Tonic Tennis by Martina Hingis, made in conjunction with Vancouver-based Tonic Lifestyle Apparel. She'll then be back in action the following day for an exhibition match against a yet-to-be-named Canadian opponent on centre court.
"I am very excited to be a part of this year's Odlum Brown VanOpen," Hingis stated in a release. "I love Vancouver and have heard great things about the tournament from my colleagues at Tonic. I look forward to playing in the exhibition, to seeing the fans and to sharing my line of clothing with them."
Hingis won 15 total Grand Slam titles in her career, including nine doubles championships and one mixed doubles crown. She attempted a comeback in 2006 but retired for good in 2007. Still just 31 years old, Hingis has played several exhibition matches against high profile opponents in recent years and was a member of the New York team in the World Team Tennis Pro League in 2011.
"We are thrilled to have a champion like Martina Hingis join us for these two days," VanOpen tournament chairman and underwriter Floyd Hill said. "We continue to try to grow the event each year and provide fans with the best possible tennis experience. Having Martina Hingis here will take the 2012 VanOpen to a new level."
The $200,000 VanOpen, the largest pro tennis event in Western Canada, will celebrate its 10th anniversary at this summer's tournament. The event will run July 28-Aug. 5 at Hollyburn. Tickets are on sale now at www.vanopen. com.
