Country: SUI
Sport: Tennis
Date of Birth: 09/30/1980
First Olympics: 1996, Atlanta
Time seems to elude 35-year-old Swiss star Martina Hingis, who turned pro in 1994.
Appropriately, Hingis, who plays for the Washington Kastles, started playing tennis especially young, at only 2. She was strongly encouraged by her mother, who also served as Hingis’ coach.
At age 15, Hingis fought for gold medals in women’s singles and doubles at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics; she walked away empty-handed.
In the first phase of her career, Hingis racked up 14 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles before injuries forced her initial retirement in 2003. Since her second return to the game in 2013, Hingis has played women’s doubles and mixed doubles exclusively.