Grand Slam is not a measure of a player's greatness: Hingis

Kolkata, Sep 19 (UNI) World No nine Martina Hingis does not believe that winning all four Grand Slams can be a measure of a player's legendary stature.

Like the Swiss Alps she can be cold in her approach to tennis, but its in that apparent somberness that World No nine Matina Hingis nestles an avalanche of power shots and a tactical brilliance to counter the new breed of tennis stars on tour.

Talking to UNI, the Swiss comeback girl said, ''It's very important to have speed today. It's very important in today's tennis. Speed is key to the game. You can't let people overpower you and overrun you. Since I can't overpower them, I have to use strategy and speed to counter the opponents.'' On a question whether lack of all four Grand Slams make a player any less legendary, Hingis, who does not have a French Open in her kitty, said, ''Yeah, sort of. But actually that cant be a measure of greatness.'' ''I have been No one for four years. Since I did not win too many on clay courts does not mean I am any lesser. Justine Henin-Hardine has not won the Wimbledon, that does not make her any lesser on grass court.

''No the fact that I don't have French open will not make me sad at the end of my career. It will certainly not be a hole in my achievements. I am excited about the game and I would continue to enjoy playing tennis the way I have,'' she added.

On why she has not changed her coach even after not having won any Slam after 1999 Australian Open, she said, ''What do you mean by professional coach? I have been a number one for four years.'' ''I have won so many grand slams and it cant get any better than that. My mother Melanie Molitor was a pro herself and that helped," she said explaining why her mother was still her coach.'' ''You need not be a great former tennis player in order to be a great coach. Sometimes coming from outside the ring helps. It gives you a perspective to the game from the outsiders point of view,'' the five time Slam winner said. She also has nine doubles titles to her kitty.

On comparing her Australian Open hattrick and Wimbledon title, she said, ''Asked which one of the two was a favourite the hattrick in Australian Open or the Wimbledon, she said both are unique experiences and can't be compared to each other. I would never put the two in the same bracket. They are both special.'' For her Winning another Slam will certainly be a very big moment and it could in all probability be the Australian or French Open.

''I would definitely try to win another grand slam. It would be one of my biggest moments to be able to do so. But its going to be very tough,'' she said.

''In all probability it would be Australian Open or French Open.

The other two surfaces are just too fast,'' she added with a smile.

She was also very much aware that the world of tennis had changed from the time she was No I, she said: ''I have to work hard. I worked out for six to seven weeks in the pre-season to get into the groove.'' ''The girls are much fitter now. The trend was started by Martina Navratilova, then Steffi Graf. And now all of them are so fit. In fact the Williams sisters totally rewrote the script with their fitness.'' And whom would she like to beat to regain her top slot.

''Sharapova, Mauresomo, Henin-Hardenne, Clistjers when she is fit.

All these girls are great opponents and I need to beat them in order to get back at the top.'' Martina also visited the mother house and said the experiences of visiting the Mother House was a lingering moment that she will carry in her heart forever. ''Yes, the visit to the mother house was very important and inspirational experience.'' ''People can hardly emulate the things she has done. She had a vision and goal that people should try to achieve. It's so difficult to live a life like her and attain whatever she has got. If my game and my smile helps people in someway I shall remain thankful.'' She also donated 20,000 dollars to the mother house.

UNI BA DH RK1930