0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
ReutersFriday, November 2, 2007
AAA
Denial: Hingis says she's terrified of drugsFormer world number one Martina Hingis said on Thursday she had tested positive for cocaine during Wimbledon this year and announced her retirement from professional tennis.
"I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent," the five-times grand slam champion from Switzerland told a news conference.
"The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities.
"Because of my age and my health problems I have also decided to retire from professional tennis."
In a statement later released by her management, the 27-year-old said she found the accusation of drug-taking "so horrendous, so monstrous, that I have decided to confront it head-on by talking to the press."
The statement added: "I would personally be terrified of taking drugs. When I was informed (about the test) I was shocked and appalled."
Hingis added that she had undergone a private test that came back negative and consulted an attorney.
"The attorney and his experts discovered various inconsistencies with the urine sample that was taken during Wimbledon.
"He is also convinced that the doping officials mishandled the process and would not be able to prove that the urine that was tested for cocaine actually came from me."
Hingis said she had also been advised that any fight to clear her name could drag on for years.
"I have no desire to spend the next several years of my life reduced to fighting against the doping officials," she said. "I am frustrated and angry.
"I believe that I am absolutely, 100 percent innocent. The fact is that it is more and more difficult for me, physically, to keep playing at the top of the game.
"And frankly, accusations such as these don't exactly provide me with motivation to even make another attempt to do so."
She added: "And so, considering this situation, my age and the problems I have been having with my hip, I have decided to no longer play tennis on the Tour."
After rising to the top of her sport with a much-admired blend of grace and tactical astuteness, Hingis suffered a string of injuries that forced her to first hang up her racket in 2003.
She made a surprise return to the courts in 2006, proving her doubters wrong as she went on to win two more titles and end the year as world number seven.
A further, final, title followed in Tokyo this year before her injury problems returned.
In October, Hingis announced an early end to her season, citing hip problems.
Thursday's media conference was widely expected to see the former world number one announcing her retirement -- but not in the circumstances now set out.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Too bad, she was ,and is, a champ. A bit of an odd way to go out though, not the type of thing to be remembered for.
Laura Force Addict v Chook scrabble-off on Facebook: laura & Force Addict 0 | chook 9
Gigsa made me do it
"He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty." – Lao Tzu
And 27 is just sooooooooooooooooo old.
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
mybe a as a future as advisor to the Eagles?
line judge??
Damn you TG...I just opened this to post that it was her last line call.
Just happy to be here
You cant blame her really - Tennis is a boring game.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
She was a champ, like the guy in my avatar.
Every forwards dream is to become a back...
Lar - de dar de dar? Who gives a #$@! Don't know how you can test positive to something you didn't take!!!!