5 Tennis stars who retired too soon

Andy Roddick after winning the 2003 US Open trophy
Andy Roddick after winning the 2003 US Open trophy

#3 Martina Hingis

15-year old Martina Hingis and Helena Sukova lifting the 1996 Wimbledon trophy
15-year old Martina Hingis and Helena Sukova lifting the 1996 Wimbledon trophy

Martina Hingis became the youngest Grand Slam champion when she won the women's doubles Wimbledon final alongside Helena Sukova at the age of just 15 years and 9 months. She also became the youngest singles Grand Slam champion in the 20th century when she bagged the 1997 Australian Open title at the age of just 16 years and 3 months.

After several injuries and operations at the start of the 21st century, Hingis (winner of 7 singles Grand Slam titles and 9 doubles Grand Slam titles) decided to call time on her career at the age of 22.

In 2005, Hingis made a comeback to the sport. She went on to win the mixed doubles title at the 2006 Australian Open alongside Mahesh Bhupathi.

In October 2007, the Swiss tennis player was banned for 2 years from playing the sport by the International Tennis Federation due to substance abuse. Hingis appealed against the ban but in vain.

Her second comeback was much more successful than the first comeback as she went on to win 4 women's doubles Grand Slam titles and 6 mixed doubles Grand Slam titles. She also bagged a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women's doubles category. She called time on her career at the end of 2017.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now