• London Olympics 2012

Hingis coy on chances of partnering Federer in London

ESPN staff
August 3, 2011
Roger Federer and Martina Hingis won the Hopman Cup in 2001 © Getty Images
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Former world No. 1 Martina Hingis has played down her chances of playing mixed doubles with Roger Federer at London 2012.

Hingis, who retired in 2007 after testing positive for cocaine, has been playing World Team Tennis and also played in Legends' events at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Federer, who will be 31 at next year's Games, will be seeking Olympic singles gold to add to his impressive CV. The 16-time grand slam champion won the men's doubles with Stanislas Wawrinka in Beijing three years ago, and now mixed doubles has been added to the Olympic schedule, Federer has reportedly lined up the five-time grand slam champion as his partner.

Swiss tennis chief Rene Stammbach confirmed that the pair would be meeting to discuss the potential partnership, but Hingis insists she is not taking the prospect too seriously.

"I'm not really thinking about it at all," Hingis said. "The invitation has been blown a bit out of proportion. I may be retired but the competitive instinct is still there. My life is pretty comfortable now and I'm enjoying it."

However, only those already present to compete in the singles or doubles will be allowed to play in the mixed, which means Hingis will have to earn a singles ranking of No. 56 or better, or a top ten doubles ranking and she would have to make herself available for the Fed Cup for Switzerland.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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