CHARLESTON, SC (April 9, 2001) – Martina Hingis’ accomplishments on the tennis court have been well publicized over the last few years but at this year’s Family Circle Cup she will be honored for her contributions off the court. Hingis was named today as winner of the tenth annual Family Circle/ Hormel Foods “Player Who Makes A Difference” award. She was chosen to receive this award because of her support and commitment to numerous worldwide organizations that really make a difference in the quality of life to those they serve. Through her efforts, she not only helps create awareness for their programs but because of her celebrity status, the organizations receive much needed exposure.

The “Player Who Makes A Difference” award has been in existence since 1992 and some of the most influential women in the history of women’s professional tennis have received this award. Over the past nine years, Zina Garrison, Martina Navratilova, Andrea Jaeger, Pam Shriver, Billie Jean King, Mary Joe Fernandez, Monica Seles and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario have all earned the distinction of Player Who Makes A Difference winners. The award, created by Family Circle magazine and Hormel Foods, honors and celebrates a woman professional tennis player who made the most outstanding contributions of both time and energy to worthy causes. Each company donates $10,000 to the charity of the winner’s choice. A selection committee made up of key officials from the Family Circle magazine, Hormel Foods and Sanex WTA Tour chose this year’s winner. The presentation of the “Player Who Makes A Difference” award and check will be made on center court in a special ceremony on Saturday, April 21st , at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina (April 14-22).

“We can’t think of a more fitting player to help us celebrate the tenth anniversary of this award than Martina Hingis,” says Susan Kelliher Ungaro, Editor-in-Chief of Family Circle magazine. “Martina’s work with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Program is truly commendable. As a recipient of this award, we celebrate her commitment in making the world a safer and healthier place for children.”

When not defending her world No. 1 status on the Sanex WTA Tour, Hingis has given her time, energy and money to numerous worldwide organizations. In March of 2000 she accepted the title of World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Polio Eradication. At that time she helped launched WHO’s “Match Point Against Polio” campaign aimed at raising awareness and funds to help eradicate polio from the face of the earth. As Ambassador, Hingis makes appearances and conducts clinics at various locations around the world and to date she has already raised over $200,000 for the campaign. She has filmed PSA’s for the campaign that are shown around the world in three languages and last year she traveled to Nepal to bring attention to this important health issue.

Hingis has also worked with the United Nations Development Program in their “Teams to End Poverty” Campaign. In July of 2000 she toured Columbia to spread awareness of the campaign and to raise much needed funds to help underprivileged children and their families. During her visit she met with numerous children who are either living in the streets or staying in a hospital. She also met with a number of political figures to speak with them about the importance of providing street children in their communities with a safe haven.

In her native country of Switzerland, Hingis also gives her time and money to support a school that assists underprivileged children who are without parents.

Hingis has decided to use the $20,000 grant money to help fund the efforts of the Bosconia Program in Columbia. During her trip to Columbia last year, she visited Bogota and saw what great work this organization did and how desperately they need funds to continue their mission. One of the most serious social problems in Columbia is the increasing number of “street children” who because of various reasons are forced to live in the streets. The Bosconia Program in Bogota was created to help address this problem and work on providing services that give these the children the tools necessary to gain self-confidence, social skills and education.

“I am very honored to receive this award from Family Circle magazine and Hormel Foods,” stated Hingis. “Children are our future and this money will go a long way in helping hundreds of young children escape from the dangers of living in the streets.”

The Family Circle Cup, celebrating 29 years in women’s professional tennis, boasts a purse of $1.2 million dollars. One of the longest running, richest and most popular events in women’s tennis, the Cup has traditionally attracted the world’s outstanding female tennis players. This year’s player field includes eight of the Top 10 in the world: Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Conchita Martinez, Amanda Coetzer, Anna Kournikova, Elena Dementieva and Amanda Coetzer. Defending champion Mary Pierce will also be returning with other top stars on the Sanex WTA Tour like Amelie Mauresmo, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Jelena Dokic. Tickets are now on sale for the Family Circle Cup, which is scheduled for April 14th – 22nd. For more information on tickets, please call 1-800-677-2293 or (843) 534-2400. To check out the latest news on the Family Circle Cup contact our tournament’s official website at www.familycirclecup.com.