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Roger Federer wanted Martina Hingis as his Olympics doubles partner
At the All England Club, the focus is on superstars Roger Federer trying to complete the career Golden Slam or Serena Williams seeking her first Olympic gold. Never mind that now that the Canadians are out, the singles tennis at London 2012 basically comes across on TV as "let's replay Wimbledon, but we don't have to wear all-white attire for a change!"
Mixed doubles, whose inaugural Olympic tournament began Thursday, cannot match that star power. Brit homeboy and Wimbledon singles runner-up Andy Murray playing with promising 18-year-old left-hander Laura Robson is nice. Ana Ivanovic playing for Serbia with a doubles specialist? Okay. Unless Will, Kate and third wheel Prince Harry show up in the Royal Box, mixed doubles will be a little lacking for celebrity. Remember that Federer, whose Olympic gold came in men's doubles, wanted to pull Martina Hingis out of semi-retirement and try to win in mixed?
It turns out the erstwhile Swiss Miss was in an Olympic city on Wednesday — Vancouver — and says she doesn't regret turning down a chance to go for gold.
From Monte Stewart:
"It would just feel like a struggle for both of us," said Hingis. "I was very flattered. It was unbelievable that he would even think about me to play mixed doubles with him. But on the other hand, I haven't played in five years — in a professional match, really. It's different than playing someone who's there all the time, playing week after week.
"Playing, oh, one out of five years? Playing exhibitions and things like that can never make up for it." (The Canadian Press)
Please skip past the convenient references to Hingis' publicized pratfalls and realize what could have been. Hingis' called card in her prime was her vision invariably led people to observe that she treated tennis like chess; Federer, of course, is the vanguard for a complete rethinking of the men's game. The two of them together is probably brain candy for tennis' aesthetes. One can understand, though, that Hingis might believe that after years away from the pro tour, a comeback on a big stage such as London 2012 might have been an embarrassment of Borgian proportions. It's also possible there was concern
No doubt the All England Club could have used their presence. When the Olympics added mixed doubles three years ago, there was talk of all sorts of big names pairing up.
That really hasn't come to pass, judging by who's in the field. It would have been truer to the Olympic watching experience if it had occurred. Part of the fun is seeing things you can't see every day in sports. Even Maria Sharapova getting to wear a red outfit at Centre Court doesn't cut it.
Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.
