Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Hingis, sponsor make temporary peace

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Sunday May 02, 1999 01:08 PM

Hingis will be defending the title in the Italian Open. Aubrey Washington/Allsport

ROME (AP) -- Martina Hingis says she's made peace with her clothing sponsor, at least for the duration of the Italian Open women's tournament.

The top-ranked player showed up at a pre-tournament news conference Sunday wearing a Sergio Tacchini T-shirt, just days after the Italian sportswear manufacturer announced it was ending her endorsement deal.

Tacchini said the 18-year-old star had failed to live up to the terms of a five-year contract signed in 1996. The deal was worth up to $2.8 million per year.

"I've always been faithful to my sponsor," Hingis said, adding that she was surprised by the company's announcement and only learned of it from newspaper reports.

She said she would wear Tacchini outfits during the Italian Open and will talk to the company about their future.

Hingis is the top seed in the $1 million clay court tournament, but faces a potentially tough field when first round play begins Monday. Sisters Venus and Serena Williams plus ninth seed Anna Kournikova are on her half of the draw.

Hingis will be defending her Italian title. She beat Venus Williams in three sets last year.

 

Related information
Stories
Jon Wertheim's Tennis Mailbag: A couple of young hotshots SI's Terry Baddoo: Wimbledon women don't merit equal pay Wimbledon increases prize money
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.