Weary Hingis has no regrets despite defeat

PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) A weary Martina Hingis, who was knocked out of the French Open quarter-finals by Kim Clijsters, said she had no regrets about coming back to competitive tennis.

The former world number one, back in tennis after a three-year, self-imposed exile from the game, had been on court for five consecutive days, having played two earlier matches over two days.

The Swiss 12th seed was able to deal with her Belgian opponent's power in today's first set but collapsed in the second and lost 7-6 6-1.

Arguably the finest tactician on the tour, Hingis said she was not in the right shape to be competitive against a player of Clijsters's calibre.

''I was a little flat, I was a little tired, I was just a little late. I didn't have the energy going I had in the first three matches,'' Hingis told a news conference.

''Even like the last couple of days, it was tough coming from a night over, finishing yesterday.

''They were long days here at Roland Garros...She's not an opponent you can just walk on court and think she's going to give it to you,'' she added.

''You just have to be full on. If you're not, you're going to lose. That's what happened today. She was just better.'' There was, however, no bitterness in Hingis's tone.

''I have had some great matches in the last six months. You know, it definitely was worthwhile coming back and playing, just having some great emotions and moments back on court,'' she said.

''I never regret one minute of coming back. That's probably the most positive thing which has happened. Of course, you have ups and downs, highs and lows, which is normal.'' Hingis, who has yet to win the French Open after losing two finals in Paris, is now looking forward to Wimbledon, a tournament she won in 1997.

''It's been a while since I stood on a grass court,'' she said.

The Wimbledon championships begin on June 26.

REUTERS DH RAI2139