World No. 1 and top seed Martina Hingis was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open in Rome today due to Plantar Fascitis (inflammation of the connective tissue) on her left foot. Hingis has gone back to the Czech Republic for treatment in order to be ready for her next scheduled event, the French Open in Roland Garros, Paris (May 29 - June 10). "I have played a lot of tennis in the last two weeks and my foot was bothering me last week in Hamburg also. I had an X-Ray and the doctor told me that I would have to rest my foot for a week or so. My main goal is to be 100% fit for the French. I am sorry for the fans in Rome and I have great memories when I won the tournament there in 1998. I look forward to coming back next year", Hingis said.
Former four-time Italian Open champion (1993-96) Conchita Martinez was also forced to withdraw from the tournament after aggravating her right achilles tendon yesterday during her semifinal doubles win with partner Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario over Patricia Tarabini and Caroline Vis. Martinez hopes that she will be fully fit to play in Berlin today, where she in involved in both the singles and doubles finals.