Martina Hingis denies use of cocaine at Wimbledon

(1 Nov 2007)
1. Martina Hingis walking into news conference
2. SOUNDBITE (German) Martina Hingis, Professional tennis player:
"Ladies and gentleman. I have been accused by an outsource testing company of taking cocaine during the English championships at Wimbledon. I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous, that I have decided to confront it head-on by talking to the press."
3. Cutaway of news conference
4. SOUNDBITE (German) Martina Hingis, Professional tennis player:
"My weapon on the tennis court is and always was one single thing, the game (microphone drops - she smiles) the game, the ingenuity on court and, for this style of tennis, there's only one performance enhancer, the love of the game."
5. Cutaway of media
6. Hingis leaving news conference
STORYLINE:
Former world number one tennis player, Martina Hingis, said on Thursday she has been accused of testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon, and then announced her retirement from professional tennis.
Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former Wimbledon winner, denied using cocaine.
"I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous, that I have decided to confront it head-on by talking to the press," Hingis told reporters in Zurich.
Hingis said she was accused by "an outsource testing company" of taking cocaine during Wimbledon.
The 27-year-old Swiss player said she was "shocked and appalled" when notified that her urine sample came back positive after losing her third round match against Laura Granville of the United States.
Hingis said she later underwent a privately arranged hair test which came back negative for cocaine.
The official backup "B" sample test on her Wimbledon urine sample, however, tested positive for the drug.
Hingis said she hired a lawyer who found "various inconsistencies" with the urine sample taken during Wimbledon.
Hingis returned to the sport two years ago after a four-year absence because of injuries.
She said it could take years to fight her case and decided it was time to retire.

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