Davenport and Hingis return fire on Cash
Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis have hit back at Pat Cash's reported criticisms of the state of women's tennis.
Greg Rusedski's new coach was quoted as saying that only sisters Venus and Serena Williams were in the right condition and that Davenport looked more suited to being a shot-putter.
Davenport was ready for the inevitable questions after losing to Hingis in today's final of the adidas International in Sydney.
"Everybody has their opinions to make, and obviously I have opinions on everybody else too which I don't really say out loud," said the 24-year-old, winner of more than £8m in her career.
"But it's a shame. I think that women tennis players for the most part are working pretty hard to be fit.
"I'm really proud of what I've done and how far I've come. You know, I think a lot of results speak for themselves - so I just kind of shrug my shoulders and let it the argument die."
Davenport, whose game is based on her power, weighs in at 12-and-a-half stones, but is six feet two-and-a-half inches.
Twenty-year-old Hingis, just over nine stones but seven inches shorter than the American, believes she is not to be found wanting for movement or touch, the two main assets of her game.
"I think it was a ridiculous comment, and I just don't accept it," she said.
"Definitely there are some players in much better shape than maybe I might look, but what does it help them if they can't play tennis or if they're always injured?
"Slowly I'm finding the balance in my life and in the training routine. You get hurt so easily if you do too much - and I could see myself doing a little bit more physical training, getting too heavy and I couldn't move on the court anymore.
"I just don't want that to happen. For me it's much more important to be light and speedy out there.
"He (Cash) was Wimbledon champion and a finalist here and at the US Open, but if he had been number one for four or five years I'd respect him definitely as a player and as a legend.
"But so many times he was injured because I think he just couldn't keep up with the physical level."
Cash's fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt, winner of the men's singles title in Sydney, offered an opinion too.
"I think Pat maybe opens his mouth a little bit too often," said the 19-year-old.
"Lindsay Davenport's won so many Grand Slams that I've got no right to come in on her. She's a great player, and to tell you the truth I think she's in pretty good shape for a girl who's so big and so strong."
