Hingis to enter Tennis Hall of Fame

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Hingis, nominated in the recent player category, won five Grand Slam singles titles during her career and held the world number one spot for 209 weeks in total.
The 'Swiss Miss' won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 1996 when, at the age of just 15, she claimed the women's doubles to become the youngest-ever Grand Slam champion.
It was the first of nine Grand Slam doubles titles, while she also added another in mixed.
Her biggest career year came in 1997 when she won three of the four majors, missing out only at the French Open where she lost in the final to Iva Majoli.
"Being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is tremendous honour," said Hingis. "It is truly a privilege to be part of such an exclusive group of tennis icons. I am looking forward to the enshrinement weekend in Newport and to being welcomed in by the other Hall of Famers."
International Tennis Hall of Fame president Stan Smith said: "Having achieved world number one status in both singles and doubles, and having won an incredible 15 Grand Slam tournament titles, Martina Hingis is undoubtedly one of the world's elite tennis players, and we are glad to pay tribute to her among the legends of the sport."
In addition, former players Cliff Drysdale, Charlie Pasarell and Ion Tiriac, who have all gone on to other things in the game, are all elected in the contributor category.
Drysdale has been a long-standing broadcaster with ESPN in the US.
Pasarell, like Drysdale, was a founder of the ATP. For more than 30 years he was involved in the organisation of the tournament at Indian Wells, but to British fans will forever be remembered for his part in a marathon match at Wimbledon with Pancho Gonzales in 1969. Pasarell eventually lost 22-24 1-6 16-14 6-3 11-9 after more than five hours on court.
Tiriac, a former French Open doubles champion, became arguably more famous for his management role with a number of players, most notably Boris Becker.
He has also been involved in tournament promotion, most recently at the Madrid Open where he was the man behind last year's controversial experiment with blue clay at the event.
Smith added: "Cliff, Charlie, and Ion all had success in tennis at the top levels, but they also had visions for the sport's immense potential for growth, and they have dedicated their lives and careers to making that happen.
"Tennis is better for having had the leadership of these three men, and Hall of Fame enshrinement is a well-deserved tribute in recognition of all they have done for our sport."
The election announcements were made on Monday as part of World Tennis Day.
Australian Thelma Coyne Long, a winner of a total of 19 Grand Slam titles during a career which lasted from 1935 to 1958, had previously been announced as an inductee in the master player category. She is now 94.
Hingis and co will be officially inducted at a special ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, on July 13.
Former Wimbledon champion Michael Stich and Helena Sukova were both nominated in the recent player category but were not elected by the Hall of Fame's international media panel.

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