Martina Hingis, a tennis icon with a decorated career, was no stranger to controversy, including outspoken remarks about Serena and Venus Williams.

© Al Bello/Getty ImagesMartina Hingis (SUI) during her match against Monica Seles (USA) at the 2002 Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells.

Martina Hingis is undeniably one of the greatest tennis players of the last few decades. Born in Slovakia but representing Switzerland, Hingis became a flagbearer for Swiss tennis with a legacy of historic achievements.

Her career, spanning from 1994 to 2017 (with the latter years focused mainly on doubles), was filled with both tremendous success and significant controversy. Hingis, a prodigious talent from a young age, faced immense pressure that sometimes led to off-court struggles.

Among the controversies were injuries, a doping suspension for cocaine, and several controversial statements — notably, her 2001 comments in Time magazine about the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, who were just beginning to dominate the women’s game at the time.

Hingis’ controversial remarks about the Williams sisters

In the 2001 Time interview, already a multiple Grand Slam champion, Hingis was asked about the dominant American players of the moment, Serena and Venus Williams.

Serena Williams of the USA and Martina Hingis of Switzerland smile and pose with their trophies after their match in the US Open final. (Jamie Squire/Allsport/Getty Images)

“Being black only helps them. They often get sponsors because they are black. They have had many advantages because they can always say: It’s racism. They can always turn around and say: Things happen because of our color,” Hingis stated in 2001.

Serena Williams’ response and Hingis’ apology

Shortly after, Serena Williams responded, firmly establishing her stance. “Getting bigger sponsorships just for being black? I don’t know anything about that. All I know is that I get my sponsorships because I work hard. Because I win. Because I approach this with a good attitude and a smile,” Serena explained.

“I think in sports that are predominantly white, when people see new faces — like Tiger Woods in golf, or maybe a Hispanic star or a Black player in hockey — it raises more attention,” she added.

Later, Hingis offered words of apology: “I’m sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings, but at the time that’s what I wanted to say. I was right then. It wasn’t against anyone, I just said something that is not politically correct”.

Head-to-head battles between Hingis and the Williams sisters

Throughout their careers, Hingis and Serena Williams faced each other 13 times, with Serena narrowly leading the rivalry 7-6. Their most notable clash was Serena’s victory over Hingis in the 1999 US Open final. Against Venus Williams, Hingis played 21 matches, winning 11 and losing 10.

Martina Hingis holds her trophy as she poses with Venus Williams after the Women’s TIG Classic at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad. (Harry How/Allsport/Getty Images)

The remarkable career of Martina Hingis

Hingis defined an era in women’s tennis. She burst onto the scene at a young age, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open in singles in 1997, and reaching the French Open final that year.

Martina Hingis celebrates by kissing the trophy after winning her first grand slam title, by defeating Mary Pierce during the Australian Open. (Clive Brunskill/Allsport/Getty Images)

She won a total of five Grand Slam singles titles, 13 women’s doubles titles, and seven mixed doubles titles — totaling 25 Grand Slams. She also became the youngest-ever World No. 1 at just 16 years and 182 days—an unbeaten record.

Injuries forced Hingis off the court from 2002 to 2006, but she made a comeback, primarily focusing on doubles until her retirement in 2017. She reached No. 1 in both singles and doubles, cementing her legacy as one of tennis’ all-time greats.