Swiss · Košice, Slovakia · Born 30 September 1980The youngest world number one in tennis history — five Grand Slam singles titles built on intelligence and movement rather than power.
Martina Hingis was born in Košice, Slovakia in 1980 and turned professional in 1994, becoming the youngest world number one in history and the youngest Grand Slam champion of the Open Era at 16 years and 3 months at the 1997 Australian Open. She won 5 Grand Slam singles titles — 3 Australian Opens (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997) and the US Open (1997) — and 43 WTA titles. She held the world number one ranking for 209 weeks and was year-end number one 4 consecutive times (1997–2000). Her career win percentage of 79% reflects a player of exceptional intelligence and court craft whose technical precision compensated for relatively limited physical power compared to rivals. She never won the French Open despite reaching 3 finals — her one career gap. She won 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and returned to professional tennis in 2013 to compete in doubles, winning further Grand Slam doubles titles into her thirties. A doping violation (cocaine) in 2007 ended her first career. She was reinstated and her titles were never stripped, the ban having expired. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013.
She became the youngest Grand Slam singles champion of the 20th century when she won Wimbledon in 1997 at age 16 years and 278 days.
She became world number one at 16 years and 6 months — the youngest player of either gender in the Open Era.
Did You Know?How They Played
Hingis was renowned for her exceptional tennis IQ, court positioning, and ability to construct points tactically rather than relying on raw power. She possessed brilliant anticipation skills and could redirect opponents' pace effectively with precise placement and angles. Her serve-and-volley skills and net play were particularly strong during an era when baseline power was becoming dominant.
Lasting Impact
Hingis helped bridge the gap between different eras of women's tennis, demonstrating that intelligence and finesse could compete with the emerging power game. Her success as a teenager inspired a generation of young players and showed the importance of mental strength in professional tennis.
Career Honours
- Australian Open 1997, 1998, 1999 (3 consecutive)
- Wimbledon 1997
- US Open 1997
- 209 weeks at world No.1
- Year-end No.1 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 (4 consecutive)
- Youngest Grand Slam champion in Open Era (1997 Australian Open, aged 16y 3m)
Swiss Athletes