Swiss Miss to soon be a Mrs.: Hingis engaged

Former world No. 1 engaged to Czech player Stepanek

Siggi Bucher / Reuters

Martina Hingis says that Czech tennis player Stepanek Radek proposed to her in Prague last month. The couple are seen here arriving for the Swiss premiere of the James Bond movie 'Casino Royale' in Zurich on Nov. 16.

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updated 5:04 a.m. ET Dec. 29, 2006

GOLD COAST, Australia - Martina Hingis confirmed she became engaged to Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek last month, though she was surprised it had taken so long for people to notice her ring.

“I’m happy,” the former No. 1-ranked Hingis said Friday, showing off a diamond ring. “I was surprised when it was spotted right away (in Australia) because in Switzerland I’ve been walking around for a month and no one’s said anything.”

She said Stepanek proposed to her in Prague last month.

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Hingis was returning to the Gold Coast for the Australian Women’s Hardcourt Championship, where she launched her comeback last year after three years on the sidelines.

Hingis won five Grand Slam singles titles before quitting tennis in 2002 because of chronic foot, heel and ankle injuries. She made her comeback on the WTA tour at the Gold Coast tournament last year, and went on to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before losing to Kim Clijsters.

Hingis acknowledged she wants to win another major, but she’s not putting too much pressure on herself to achieve it.

“That’s something I don’t want to push too far because there are many other girls out there who are several steps ahead of me,” said Hingis. “I don’t think I’m in a position to be saying that I’m going to win a grand slam so I won’t do that.”

Hingis won three consecutive Australian Open titles from 1997 and then lost three straight finals at Melbourne Park.

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