Injured Hingis may have to quit - doctor

Former world number one Martina Hingis may be forced to quit tennis due to a serious foot injury, the doctor treating her indicated on Wednesday.

"We have to see how far the inflammation in the joints has already led to arthrosis," Dr Heinz Buhlmann told the private Swiss station Radio 24.

"We cannot yet say how sensible it would be for her to continue her career or whether to end it would be advisable on medical grounds.

Arthrosis is another name for osteoarthritis.

Buhlmann, who is treating 21-year-old Hingis in a Zurich clinic, said she is suffering from pain in the joints of her left foot, left knee and left hip.

Buhlmann, who has yet to make a firm diagnosis, warned that long term inflammation could have led to joint damage, which would force Hingis to end her career.

Melanie Molitor, Hingis' mother, confirmed that her daughter is undergoing tests in Zurich and speculated that any joint damage may have been caused by the shoes she wore from the age of 11 until three years ago.

Hingis is still involved in an ongoing legal battle with shoe manufacturers Sergio Tacchini after alleging that their shoes damaged her feet.

The results of the test on Hingis are due next week and whatever the outcome she is rated by her manager Mario Widmer to be "80 percent" likely to miss the French Open Roland Garros, which starts in 12 days.

"Only one week of training before Roland Garros is not enough," Widmer told Swiss radio.

Hingis has won five Grand Slam titles since turning pro in 1994 but has not won one since the Australian Open in January 1999. She reached the final of the French Open in 1997 and 1999.

Last week Hingis pulled out of the German Open and this week's Italian Open.