| Hingis hopes to play in Australian Open(Reuters)
 Updated: 2005-12-05 09:19
 
 ZURICH, Switzerland - Martina Hingis hopes to make her return to Grand Slam 
tennis at the Australian Open next month. 
 Hingis, who announced earlier 
this week that she was coming back after a three-year retirement, is considering 
Australian Open warmup tournaments in Hong Kong or Gold Coast, Australia.
 "It's going to be great 錕斤拷 four more weeks to go probably 'til I play my first 
tournament," the 25-year-old Swiss star said at a news conference.
 The Hong Kong exhibition and Gold Coast tournament are scheduled for Jan. 
2-9. The Australian Open begins Jan. 16.
 "That would be the goal at the moment, to be able to participate at that 
level," said Hingis, who won the last of her three straight Australian Open 
titles in 1999.
 Australian Open director Paul McNamee said this week he planned to give 
Hingis a wild card.
 "She has not made up her own mind yet when she's coming back," he told 
Australian media. "We're hoping Australia, but it's not a fait accompli."
 Her manager, Mario Widmar, said she will decide in the next eight days where 
to play her first event.
 Hingis, who retired in 2002 after battling foot, heel and ankle problems said 
she was willing to "take the risk" of more injuries.
 "With every job, you have to be willing to pay some kind of price," she said. 
"You have to be willing to play with pain to a certain level. The question is 
how much can you take."
 Hingis' doctor said she would be closely monitored to make sure her previous 
battles with foot injuries did not reappear.
 Dr. Heinz Buehlmann said Hingis was in good health and had overcome her ankle 
injuries, but her heel problems remained an issue.
 
 
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