Hingis tests positive for cocaine, retires

ZURICH, Nov 1 (Reuters) Former world number one Martina Hingis said today 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 per cent 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 per cent 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.

SURPRISE RETURN 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.

Today's media conference was widely expected to see the former world number one announcing her retirement -- but not in the circumstances now set out.

Reuters BJR VP0035