/ 4 January 2008

Two-year drugs ban for Hingis

Martina Hingis was banned for two years on Friday for testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon last year.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said an independent anti-doping tribunal found that Hingis, who announced her retirement November 1 on the day she revealed the positive test, had committed an offence.

The 27-year-old Hingis denied using cocaine, but the tribunal rejected suggestions there were any doubts over her sample.

Although the five-time Grand Slam winner is now retired, her suspension is backdated to October 1 2007.

The ITF also disqualified Hingis’s results from Wimbledon in 2007 and any subsequent tournaments she played in. She also forfeits any ranking points gained and $129 481 in prize money.

Hingis lost 6-4, 6-2 to Laura Granville in the third round at Wimbledon last year. — Sapa-AP