Smarter Swiss Miss looks up to French Open

Hingis points out that she is a year older now and far smarter than she was last year and admits she thinks “what a baby” when she sees photos of her outbursts that day 12 months ago.

Hingis is still only 19, but she says she has matured. She also believes the Roland Garros crowd will not hold against her the outrageous behaviour that earned her boos 12 months ago.

“There was just so much pressure last year,” she says. “And I really wanted to win.

“I’m past it now and I’m just looking to the future. I hope the crowd have forgiven me.”

Her preparations as she seeks her sixth Grand Slam singles title have been far from ideal. A foot injury forced her to withdraw only moments before the draw was made for the Italian Open earlier in May.

Hingis lost a semifinal to veteran Conchita Martinez in Berlin earlier in the month and suffered the injury in that match. After undergoing an X-ray, she was advised by doctors to undergo physiotherapy if she hopes to be back on top form ahead of Roland Garros.

Hingis and American Lyndsay Davenport have each been vying for the world number one ranking in recent weeks, but Hingis has managed to secure the number one position going into the French Open.

She has won three tournaments this year — including the Hamburg Open, where she beat vastly-experienced Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the final.

Now is the first time in three years that Hingis doesn’t hold a Grand Slam title — and she is anxious to put that right.

In a recent interview with the “The Times” newspaper, she said winning at Roland Garros is part of her image of a perfect day.

“That would be winning a Grand Slam — Paris or Wimbledon,” she said. “Then celebrating to take a photo in front of Sacre Coeur or Tower Bridge. I want that to be the perfect day because you are happy with yourself.”