Hingis and Clijsters open new Arena in Hasselt.

Local hero Kim Clijsters and former tennis star Martina Hingis were both invited to open the newly build Ethias Arena. To do so they had to stick their right hands in some plaster so that it would be there forever. After they had done so Kim dropped her plaque when showing her piece of art to the photographers. The MC of the event said it was still in one piece. The award she presented to Martina was handed over with more care; the goods were delivered without a scratch.  

Martina Hingis said she is starting to miss the game. “The first year without tennis was easier than this year, This year I want to jump on court and show them how it's done.” But her work as a commentator at tournaments keeps her busy with other things than playing.

“I am feeling good and healthy but I don’t play that much tennis” Hingis said after being asked about her health. As long as she does not force her ankle into hard labour it feels all right. She is more often in the saddle than in her tennis shoes. She almost rides every week and came in first and second in show jumping events last week.

“I had good results but they were at my level so just for fun”. Now that mom Melanie does not have to follow her around on the tour anymore she stays at home. “I don’t want her to come and follow me on show jumping events, it would only make me nervous. In tennis it was ok but not with jumping” she said. “She is not to keen on traveling anyway”.

“I also like to play with my kids ..... uh my moms kids” Martina said about the tennis activities outside commentating for networks around the world. Melanie Molitor opened her in and outdoor tennis school for children where Martina helps out every once in a while.

She also explained her role at the SwissCom Challenge that is coming up next October. She is there to fill the gap between players, sponsors and the press. “Last year in Zurich no one knew that Kim was at the party. That would have been nice for the sponsors, I am trying to be that link.”

About playing exhibition matches Martina said that she is not going to do that at this time. And for a special event around her retirement she said: “I don’t want that, I am still too young, only 24.”

Apart from not playing tennis she is still busy with all kinds of work, she didn’t even have the time to finish her English course. Her teacher being away and being on the road herself she just couldn’t pick up from where she had left the course to the next exam.

She said that she had been in the area of Hasselt before; she played at Overpelt not far from Hasselt when she was a junior and that she had good memories about it. One of the players she met there showed up with a newspaper about the tournament they both played there. The guy stopped playing tennis and ended working in his dads firm. Martina said that she recognized his name and that he had grown a lot since then.