ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 12 (UPI) -- Martina Hingis will miss this year's U.S. Open as she continues to recover from left ankle surgery, the WTA Tour announced Friday.
The former world No. 1 from Switzerland had surgery on May 20 in her homeland to repair ligaments in her ankle. According to her representatives, rehabilitation is "progressing well" and Hingis hopes to resume play soon.
Hingis will not appear in upcoming events in San Diego, Los Angeles and Montreal and will not submit an application for the year's final Grand Slam event. The 1997 U.S. Open champion and five-time Grand Slam champion has missed each major in 2002.
Initial reports claimed Hingis' injury -- allegedly caused by her sneakers -- was career threatening. She has been seen often in public, however, following Spain's Sergio Garcia as he competes in various golf events.
Hingis, who will be 22 in September, won titles in two of her first three appearances in 2002, increasing her career total to 40. She claimed the Australian Open crown from 1997-99 and Wimbledon in 1997.
