Hingis, Stepanek wedding off

2007-08-12 15:58

Montreal - Radek Stepanek lost his Montreal Masters semi-final to Roger Federer on Saturday and then revealed he was also a loser in love as his engagement to Martina Hingis hit the rocks.

The Czech, who was beaten 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 by Federer, got engaged to the former women's world number one at the end of last year, but an ATP spokesperson said that two were no longer an item.

"Radek asked me to pass on a message announcing that he and Martina Hingis have split up, they will remain good friends, and that is all I have to say," said the spokesperson.

Hingis, 26, who was born in the former Czechoslovakia before moving to Switzerland as a child, knew the 28-year-old Stepanek from the junior game.

She had proudly shown off a massive engagement ring in January in the run-up to the Australian Open, lamenting the fact that Swiss media had not noticed it during December.

While Hingis has been plagued this season by a back injury, which has forced her out of next week's WTA event in Toronto, Stepanek has hit form in recent months.

The world number 60, a former top 10 player, is fighting his way back up the rankings after a nerve injury, which affected his racket arm, affected his form.

He had won 12 of his last 14 matches going into his match against Federer, claiming his second career title last month in Los Angeles.

- AFP