The Youngest Tennis Champion —Martina Hingis (来源：EnglishCN英语博客基地)

We’re used to swaggering, in-your-face trash talk from NBA players, boxers and even a few politicians, but teenagers in tennis skirts? There’s a new generation of women on the court. They’re young. They’re pretty. And they’re unbelievably brash about everything. Here’s 17-year-old Martina Hingis explaining her lack of humility：“ People say that I am arrogant. I am No. 1 in the world, so I have a right to be arrogant.”

Actually she’s the best in the world. Two years after becoming the youngest No.  1 player in history, Hingis won her second Family Circle title.

Hingis came to Britain in 1997, posing with a large “No. 1” made of tennis balls. A week later, she had earned her sixth straight title and 31st straight victory with a Family Circle title.

“At that stage, you don’t really get it that you’re the best tennis player in the world,” Hingis, 18, said after a 6-4, 6-3 win over Kournikova Sunday. “There is always another match to go, another tournament.” It was only later, she said, she realized, “I became No. 1. I’m like the best.”

Hardly arguing anymore now. It’s been a difficult week in the shadows for Hingis, pushed aside by the all-Williams’ final at the Lipton Championships last week and Kournikova’s run through the Family Circle.

“With the Williams sisters and Anna, I was saying, ‘What about me?’” said Hingis, who earned $150, 000. “I think this was about time.” Hingis doesn’t mind talk of her rivals. “So long as they’re lower than me, I’m fine,” she said.

Kournikova gave her a run on the concourse and practice courts at the Sea Pines Racquet Club, though. The sassy Russian star’s poster was one of the hottest items at the season’s first clay court tournament. Her doubles matches got only attention. Even Fox Sports Net analyst Pam Oliver told Kournikova, when presenting her with the runner-up honor, that she was “really popular with the men.”

 But Hingis, smiling most of the way, showed who’s No. 1 on the court. She trailed Kournikova 4-3 in the opening set, but broke the Russian’s serve three staight times in winning the next six games.

 When Korunikova struck back to close the second set to 3-2, Hingis broke serve again to regain control. When Kournikova’s forehand slapped the net, Hingis had closed out her third tournament win this year and her 10th straight Family Circle singles victory.

Kournikova’s game was erratic. She overcame Hingis’ 40-15 lead in the first set. Then she double-faulted twice to lose the next one.

“You have to play smart and be patient with her,” Kournikova said. “But I made a few unforced errors because I tried to go for too much.”

Hingis stayed steady throughout, never letting Kournikova break away. And when the crowd tried to pull Kournidova through, Hingis would remind them with a surprise drop shot or sharp forehand winner who’s No. 1.

Kournikova acknowledged the support she gets. She’s confident in her ability — she beat Hingis at last year’s German Open — but said she knows her game needs the seasoning she can get by advancing to finals.

“This is great for me, great for my confidence,” Kournikova said. “This gave me some experience and hopefully, I won’t be a runner-up much longer.” But Hingis will rest for about a month, returning to the tour at the Italian Open. She understands a lot better about the knack of winning crucial points and staying on top.

“(If) you are better ranked, you’re a better player, you win the match,” Hingis said. “If not, you always are the loser.”

最年轻的网球冠军 — 玛蒂娜·辛吉斯

我们常常互相大侃特侃NBA 球员，拳击手甚至是有关一些政客的废话，为什么不谈谈身着网球裙的十几岁的姑娘们呢？网球场上有了新一代的女性。他们年轻，漂亮。而且对于任何事她们都带有令人难以置信的率直。十七岁的玛蒂娜·辛吉斯是这样解释她的不谦逊的：“人们说我傲慢。我是世界头号选手，所以我有权傲慢。”

她的确是世界最出色的。在辛吉斯成为历史上最年轻的头号选手的两年后，她又赢得了第二个大满贯头衔。

辛吉斯1997年来到英国，她用网球摆了个大大的“第一”。一周后，她已赢得了连续第六个冠军头衔并在大满贯中连续31场不败。

１８岁的辛吉斯，在周日以６比４，６比３战胜库尔尼科娃后说：“在那种场合，你并未能真正说明自己是世界上最出色的网球选手，总是有下场比赛，下一场锦标赛。”只是到后来，她说，她意识到“我是第一。我喜欢最好。”

而现在就不好说了。一周来辛吉斯都处在阴影中举步维艰，上周在利浦顿冠军赛中，被威廉斯姐妹挤出决赛，大满贯中库尔尼科娃又力拔头筹。

刚刚赢得十五万美元的辛吉斯说：“面对威廉姆斯姐妹和安娜，我要说：‘我怎么办？’我想现在是时候了。”辛吉斯并不介意谈论她的对手，她说：“只要她们超不过我，就万事大吉了。”