WTA willing to help Hingis when organization gets results

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MADRID, Spain -- Martina Hingis is awaiting help from the WTA Tour in the fight to clear her name after a positive test for cocaine at Wimbledon.

WTA Tour president Stacy Allaster said Sunday that the women's tour will only get involved after doping authorities hand over a report on the case.

"We let that process happen independently and then, depending on the findings of the tennis anti-doping committee, we'll be there to support Martina," Allaster told The Associated Press at the Sony Ericsson Championships.

Hingis made a surprise appearance over the weekend at the season-ending event, which the five-time Grand Slam champion won twice.

"I personally haven't seen her, but she's part of our tennis family, and I'm glad she joined us here," Allaster said. "Martina was a great champion, a very accomplished athlete. Our sport has been very fortunate to have had Ms. Hingis."

Allaster wouldn't comment on the nine-month ban and $60,000 fine handed to Alessio Di Mauro by the ATP after the Italian bet on tennis matches. The WTA enlists the same punishment as the ATP, she said.

"We have a great system in place already and there is no indication there is betting going on," Allaster said. "We're going through a period of going through our plan to deal with this issue."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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