Hingis backs Ivanovic to win Wimbledon
Former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis has backed top seed Ana Ivanovic to triumph at the All England Club this year but says the retirement of Justine Henin has left a void at the top of the women’s game.
Hingis, who beat Jana Novotna to win her first and only SW19 title in 1997 at the age of 16, believes Ivanovic is best equipped to seize the mantle having claimed her first French Open crown earlier this month.
But the Swiss star bemoaned the loss of Henin, whom she described as “a little warrior” in a women’s game which has become increasingly reliant on strength and power.
Hingis said: “Everyone was shocked to hear about Justine’s retirement and her reasons for it. She was one of the last little warriors out there. She was known for being such a fighter and her decision was so abrupt.”
Hingis believes Ivanovic will have the edge in a women’s competition made much more open by the retirement of Henin, with the likes of Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters also in serious contention.
Hingis added: “It’s been very open for the last couple of years with Justine dominating a little bit then Amelie Mauresmo coming up and winning Wimbledon and looking like she might take control.
“But Justine has retired and Amelie has not really had a good season. I think confidence-wise you have got to go with Ivanovic after what she did in the French Open this year.
“But Maria is always a good player on grass and I think this year there are about four or five players who you could pick to win it. Of course you can never discount the Williams sisters.
“Playing on grass is special but it is never that easy. A lot of it is mental and about having the right strategy. On grass, anybody can beat you on a given day and that is what makes it so difficult to pick a winner.”
