Hingis to Play in Korea’s Hansol Open

Martina Hingis will make her competitive debut in Korea this September at the Hansol Korea Open Tournament, with its venues at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Courts in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

The Korea Tennis Association’s Public Relations Dept. Chief Lee Jin-soo said yesterday, “After six months of talks, Hingis’s participation has been confirmed. Hingis, who has a large following here, will also host one-point lessons and autograph events.”

Currently the 13th ranked player in the world, Hingis made her professional debut at 14, ascending to the number one spot in the year she conquered the 1997 Australian Open as the youngest player ever (16 years, three months) to win a major. With 41 tour titles to her record, of which five are from majors, she successfully returned to the court this year, back from her retirement in 2002 caused by a serious ankle injury.

Other players who will be invited alongside the Swiss former world number one include Maria Kirilenko (Russia, Ranked 22nd), Sania Mirza (India, Ranked 42nd), and Ai Sugiyama (Japan, Ranked 19th).

Korean contenders will include Cho Yoon-jeong (Team Samsung FN), who is under rehabilitation and recovering from a spinal disc surgery, Kim So-jung, and Kim Jin-hee (Team Hansol Paper).

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com