Hingis asks for wild-card entry to US Open

Martina Hingis has asked for a wild card entry into the US Open.

It was thought that the year's final Grand Slam event would come too soon for the Swiss Miss, who is recovering from ankle surgery.

Hingis had an operation to repair ligament damage in her left ankle on May 20, which forced her to miss the French Open and Wimbledon - the first Grand Slam tournaments she has missed since turning pro in 1994.

Her name was not included on the list of 104 entrants for the US Open, announced last week.

She was the 1997 US Open champion, has been top seed every year since then, and has won four other Grand Slam singles titles.

But on Monday, Octagon Management announced that Hingis has entered two Open warm-up events in the next two weeks - the Rogers AT&T Cup in Montreal and the Pilot Pen event at New Haven, Connecticut.

She also requested an invitation for the Open, which begins on August 26.

"We are very pleased to learn that Martina Hingis is healthy once again and beginning her return to competitive tennis," said Jim Curley, tournament director of the Open.

"We received her official request for a US Open main draw singles wild-card from her management company on Monday morning.

"The USTA will announce the eight men and eight women who will receive main draw singles wild card entries in the US Open after our wild card committee meets next week to review all requests."

That meeting is scheduled for August 13.

Wild cards are reserved for players whose rankings do not ordinarily allow them entry into the main draw and are awarded at the discretion of the tournament.

In Hingis' case, she did not enter due to doubts about her health but her top-10 ranking would have qualified her for the tournament.

In Zurich, Hingis' manager, Mario Widmer, said Hingis' recovery from the surgery had been faster than anticipated.

"Martina's condition has improved enormously," he said. "It's fairly certain that she will be back in Montreal next week and also ready for New Haven."