Hingis: From Tennis Prodigy to Remarkable Life Journey 28 Years Later

Key Biscayne, USA - On July 5, 2025, we look back to a remarkable tennis milestone achieved 28 years ago: Martina Hingis’s stunning victory at Wimbledon in 1997. At just 16 years and 182 days old, Hingis became the youngest player to ever claim the title, defeating Jana Novotna with a score of 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 in the final. Her triumph not only made history but also marked her ascent to the WTA No. 1 ranking, making her the youngest player to hold that title as well, as Sport1 highlights.

In fact, Hingis’s Wimbledon win was just the second of her career, coming on the heels of her sensational junior achievements. Her success at such a young age was indicative of her exceptional talent, as she was raised in a tennis family—her mother, Melanie Molitor, was a former professional player herself. As a child, Hingis picked up a racket at age two and began competing in tournaments by the age of four, displaying a prodigious skill set from an early age.

Rise to Fame

Following her Wimbledon victory, Hingis didn’t slow down. In 1997 alone, she also captured the Australian Open and US Open titles, becoming the first player since both Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova to achieve such feats. Her only blemish that year was a loss in the French Open final. Hingis continued to impress, holding the top WTA ranking for an astounding 209 weeks, putting her fifth on the all-time list behind legends like Graf, Navratilova, Serena Williams, and Chris Evert, as detailed by Wikipedia.

However, the road wasn’t always smooth. After her success peaked in the late 1990s, she grappled with injuries and fierce competition, particularly from rising stars Venus and Serena Williams. Her last Grand Slam singles title came in 1999 when she reached the finals of the French Open, only to be defeated by Graf.

A Tumultuous Journey

In 2003, Hingis retired at the young age of 22, marking an abrupt pause in a career filled with impressive accomplishments and highs. Her brief return in 2005 was marred by a doping scandal in 2007, with a positive test for cocaine resulting in a two-year suspension. Many tennis fans found this surprising given her previous standing as one of the sport’s most prominent figures.

Despite these setbacks, Hingis made a successful return to professional tennis, focusing on doubles and mixed events starting again in 2013. Notably, she won three major titles in 2017, including the Ladies‘ Invitation Doubles at Wimbledon, and capped off her career with a final retirement announcement later that year, solidifying her status as one of the game’s greats.

Life Off the Court

Now a mother, Hingis welcomed her daughter, Lia, in 2019. Despite her early fame and the tumult of her professional life, she has made it clear that her daughter’s well-being takes precedence. After navigating through two divorces—first with French equestrian Thibault Hutin and later with Lia’s father, Harald Leemann—Hingis seems to value the quieter moments of life over the tumult of her younger years.

As we revisit Hingis’s remarkable journey, it’s clear there’s something to be said for resilience and the ability to evolve. Her legacy in tennis is undeniable, and as Wikipedia points out, Hingis not only paved the way for future champions but also stands as a reminder that life’s challenges can be met with courage and grace.