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The Canadian Press
12/29/2006 10:16:07 AM
GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) - Martina Hingis confirmed she became engaged to Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek last month, telling a news conference here Friday she was surprised it had taken so long for people to notice her ring.
"I'm happy," said the former No. 1-ranked Hingis, showing off a diamond ring. "I was surprised when it was spotted right away (in Australia) because in Switzerland I've been walking around for a month and no-one's said anything." She said Stepanek proposed to her in Prague last month.
Hingis was returning to the Gold Coast for the Australian Women's Hardcourt Championship, where she launched her comeback last year after three years on the sidelines.
Hingis won five Grand Slam singles titles before quitting tennis in 2002 because of chronic foot, heel and ankle injuries.
She made her comeback on the WTA tour at the Gold Coast tournament last year, and went on to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before losing to Kim Clijsters.
Hingis reached a year-end ranking of No. 7, making the quarterfinals at both the Australian and French Opens.
The Australian Women's Hardcourt championship starts Sunday at Royal Pines resort.
It is her main warmup tournament for next month's Australian Open.
Stepanek, 28, reached a career-high No. 8 ranking after reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, but has not played since then because of a neck injury.
He is expected to make a comeback in Australia next week.
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