Winning two Grand Slams after retirement is amazing: Martina Hingis

Two Slams post-retirement? Well, if you’re Martina Hingis, it’s obviously not a question.

Winning the Wimbledon this year was an inexplicable feeling. It almost felt like a brand new career. When I retired from singles, I never imagined I would win two more Slams,” said the former world No 1, who together with Sania Mirza went on to win the US Open as well this year.

The WTA for the first time chose to honour year-ending world No 1 players in both singles and doubles categories with trophies. While Serena Williams, who has skipped the tournament, was not present, the top doubles duo of Hingis and Sania held court.

The Singapore tennis evening organised by the WTA in close association with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) had something for everyone to take home. While tennis fans had more than a fair treat with a galaxy of greats -Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Hingis – descending, even those who couldn’t tell a deuce from a game were soon on their feet with British singer Paloma Faith turning the gala event heady.

“When we got together this year we never imagined we would go so far. It’s certainly a dream come true. Hopefully we’ve two more matches left in us in this tournament,” summed up Sania.

Close to four decades since she held court, 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert looked as fetching as did in her tennis whites.

“Believe me, it’s tougher to stay at the top than getting there. Everyone would be after you. You really need to have the hunger and desire. Tennis has evolved over the years.