By Martina Hingis
October 19 2004

After resigning from active top tennis I have always been in touch with sport in general and tennis in particular. In the first phase after my last match on the Tour (3-6, 3-6 against Jelena Dementieva in Filderstadt 2002) came as it were a need to catch up with relatively fewer sports activities. I enjoyed having the time to see the other pleasures of life: going out, go to the movies and have a good meal in a restaurant.

My new life is structured now. I am on the road for Adidas a lot for example at clinics with juniors. For Yonex earlier I have been in Japan for a few days. It's odd actually how many fans I still have over there. Also the work I do for V-Zug satisfies me, the TV commercial for the washing machine brought a lot of fun. It also had practical uses: At home I do my own laundry now. Interesting are also my jobs as TV co-commentator, this year for Channel 7 in Australia, for Eurosport in Paris and for ESPN in Wimbledon. With ESPN I was also invited to the 25 years anniversary at the US Open in New York.

Besides that I also practice with the kids with my mum in Wollerau and I ride at regional tournaments and had won 150 Franks in prize money already. I am like before eager to move. The sport and the changes it brings give me structure and rhythm. Furthermore you always find new friends with doing that.

The brainwork must also not come short. With the help of a private teacher I have for example completed the advanced test in English. I took advantage with that for commentating on television.

And if I want to relax I enjoy that in my new house in Hurden in Kanton Schwyz. I have a barn of a house, formerly owned by ex-football player Karl-Heinz Riedle, redecorated and given shape to it after my taste. Then it would be very possible that I at home slide some Schinkengipfeli (Swiss ham bun, ES) into the steamer, before the next appointment waits. Eating well in a fine restaurant is nice but most enjoyable is it at home.

Enjoy the day at tennis! Bis morgen.