Daniela Hantuchova says she's committed to playing doubles with soon to be un-retired Martina Hingis at the U.S. Open and Carlsbad, but says they haven’t discussed playing other tournaments yet.
The 32-year-old Hingis, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame earlier this month, also plans to play doubles at Toronto, Cincinnati and New Haven.
“We talked a couple of months ago and she still enjoys the game so much and the competitiveness is still in there and we always had so much fun,” Hantuchova told TENNIS.com. “I respect her incredibly and she was always my idol growing up so I said ‘Why don't we give it try?' We don't have anything to lose and we just want to have fun on court. She thought about it for a while and here we were."
Hantuchova and Hingis, both born in Slovakia, share a long history. Hantuchova beat Hingis, 6-3, 6-4, to capture her first career WTA title at the 2002 Indian Wells and was the last woman to play doubles at a Tour-level event with Hingis. The pair partnered at the 2007 U.S. Open, losing to Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the round of 16.
Hingis has been playing a lot of World TeamTennis, exhibitions and senior events at Grand Slams. The former No. 1 in singles and doubles partnered Lindsay Davenport to win the Wimbledon Ladies' Invitation doubles earlier this month.
Hantuchova said Hingis' court sense sets her apart.
“Once you are a champion inside you never are going to lose it and she understands the game like no other,” Hantuchova told TENNIS.com. “Obviously it's a competitive match and it’s totally different and I can’t to wait to see how it’s going to be.”
The 30-year-old Hantuchova, who owns a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles, said that the Swiss — who has won nine Grand Slam doubles titles — called the shots on court when they've played together in the past.
“I was the one who was listening to everything she told me to do,” Hantuchova said. “She managed to win so many different tournaments with so many different players and I’m sure if she asked [a journalist to play with her] she would tell you what to do and she would win anyway.”