Martina Hingis is banned for two years, from Oct. 1, 2007, through Sept. 30, 2009 as she was found guilty of testing positive for cocaine. Many including Venus Williams supports Hingis and was shocked to know about the news.
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who is already retired, was banned from tennis for two years Friday when it was announced she was found guilty of testing positive for cocaine at the All England Club.
A three-person, independent tribunal rejected Hingis’ defense, calling it “a simple and straightforward case.” Her manager said she won’t appeal the ruling.
“Since Martina has retired from competitive sports, it makes no sense for her to challenge the judgment,” manager Mario Widmer said in Switzerland. “She just isn’t going to play anymore.”
Martina Hingis (Photo: Heather Faulkner/AFP/Getty Images)
Martina Hingis: I believe that I am absolutely, 100 percent innocent.
The failed drug test after Hingis’ loss to Laura Granville on June 29 at Wimbledon came to light Nov. 1. That’s when the 27-year-old player choked back tears at a news conference while revealing she tested positive for cocaine and said she would leave the sport she once ruled.
That day, she called the accusations “so horrendous, so monstrous,” and added, “I believe that I am absolutely, 100 percent innocent.”
An evening with Maria Sharapova? How does that sound? And no, it’s not a dream. If you have MYR 4,230 or SGD 1,800 (approx. USD $1,231), your dream will come true.
But first, you’ll have to watch her play tennis against Anna Chakvetadze, current World number 6 in Singapore Indoor Stadium.
For SGD 1,800, you’ll get the following: -
VIP Champions Club seat at the ‘Maria Sharapova vs Anna Chakvetadze Challenge Match’ – December 30, 1007 at 8:00pm – Singapore Indoor Stadium
VIP Invitation to ‘An Afternoon with Sharapova’ – December 29, 2007 at 3:00pm – location TBC
VIP Invitation to ‘Maria Sharapova Celebrity Night’ – December 29, 2007 at 6:00pm – location TBC
One copy of the ‘Maria Sharapova Live Official Souvenir Program’
One copy of the ‘Maria Sharapova Live Official Coffee Table Book’ (available 45 days after the event)
One item of ‘Official Maria Sharapova Live Merchandize’
Guess it’s not just an evening, it’s an exhibition match, ‘an afternoon’, ‘an evening’ and a few limited edition souvenir! For SGD 1,800, it’s quite worth it. Unless if you’re flying from the other part of the world.
Pete Sampras showed Roger Federer another side of his American idol on Saturday. Sampras never faced a break point and converted one of two against his opponent as he handed Federer a 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 defeat at the Venetian Macao arena, wrapping up a three-match Asian exhibition series between the two tennis greats.
“I’m sort of surprised. This guy can play tennis, you know,” the Swiss player said after his loss Saturday.
In what many tennis fans would have thought will be a worthwhile match turned out only to be a short affair.
Pete Sampras, the world’s former number one was no match for the current champion, Roger Federer when they met on court in Seoul, Korea, yesterday for only the second time.
In an exhibition match here, Roger Federer beat Pete Sampras 6-4, 6-3 in a match lasting just 61 minutes. This is the first of three matches this week.
As part of Independence (Merdeka) and the 50th Anniversary of the Nation, tennis fans will get to watch Roger Federer competes with Pete Sampras, two great legends of tennis in Malaysia!
Roger Federer (right) vs Pete Sampras (left)
If you are not a fan of Federer, then, you must be a fan of Rafael Nadal! Nadal will be playing in Malaysia too, but not against Federer or Sampras but Richard Gasquet, the winner of three French Open.
To be held in Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, this will be a great treat for the fans. Tickets are priced from MYR 83 to MYR 443 for Federer vs Sampras match (November 22, 2007) and MYR 83 to MYR 403 for Nadal vs Gasquet match (November 20, 2007).
At first, you heard, “I don’t mind spending some time. Just hanging here with you in the jail.
Later, you get to hear, “Even though the gods are I am crazy (Oh)… Even though the stars are judge is blind (Oh)… Even though the gods are I am crazy (Oh)… Even though the stars are judge is blind (Oh)… Repeat till get out of jail.”
Martina Hingis (Photo: Heather Faulkner/AFP/Getty Images)
Roger Federer (right) vs Pete Sampras (left)
