Martina Hingis is suing her former tennis shoe maker, Sergio Tacchini, for £25m, claiming their shoes have caused her injury and damaged her career.
Hingis, the world's top female player, alleges that the specially-designed shoes caused her chronic pain and forced her to miss several tournaments, including the 1999 Wimbledon doubles. She claims negligence and breach of contract.
“She was examined by a Manhattan doctor, who confirmed the injury was chronic and caused by tennis shoes manufactured by Tacchini,” the lawsuit alleges.
The shoes were supplied to Hingis for six months from November 1998. Sergio Tacchini terminated the contract in April 1999, claiming that she had breached her contract by making discrediting statements and failing to wear the clothing she was supposed to.
