MARTINA HINGIS AWARDED WILD CARD INTO 2006 PACIFIC LIFE OPEN

Five-Time Grand Slam Champion, Former Pacific Life Open Singles Champion and 2006 Australian Open Quarterfinalist To Return To The Indian Wells Tennis Garden

INDIAN WELLS, Calif., February 3, 2006 – The first chance for fans to catch a glimpse of Martina Hingis on American soil will be at the Pacific Life Open, held March 6-19, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.  The five-time Grand Slam Champion was awarded a wild card into the tournament's main draw, as announced today by Tournament Director, Steve Simon.

Hingis, who returned to action on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour this year after a three-year hiatus due to injuries, has picked up where she left off reaching the semifinals of Gold Coast and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open where she lost to defending Pacific Life Open Champion Kim Clisters.

A two-time Pacific Life Open Champion, Hingis won the 1998 singles crown at Indian Wells with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Lindsay Davenport.   Martina would go on to claim the doubles crown the following year with partner Anna Kournikova by defeating Mary Joe Fernandez and Jana Novotna 6-2, 6-2.   In addition to her two wins, she also reached the finals in 2000, losing to Davenport 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, and again in 2002, losing this time to Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-4.

"Martina's comeback performance has been outstanding and our fans will really enjoy watching the competition and the level of play she is bringing back to the game," said Simon.   "As a former champion of the Pacific Life Open, we wish her all the best here."

The Pacific Life Open will award a total of 24 wild cards.  For the women's event, nine main draw and six qualifying draw entries are provided; on the men's side, the tournament has five main draw and four qualifying draw wild cards available.   Qualifying wild cards will be announced prior to the draw selection.