Tennis News

March 24, 1998: The Day Hingis and Serena's Iconic Rivalry Began in Miami

July 11, 2026Carlos Mendoza1 мин

March 24, 1998, marked a pivotal moment in tennis history as an iconic rivalry was born in Miami. On this day, Martina Hingis and Serena Williams met on court for the very first time in the quarter-finals of what was then known as the Lipton Championships.

In this inaugural clash, the then-world No. 1, 17-year-old Martina Hingis, faced a formidable challenge from the rising 16-year-old American, Serena Williams, who was ranked 40th globally. Hingis ultimately triumphed in a nail-biting encounter, saving two match points to secure a victory with a score of 6-3, 1-6, 7-6. This thrilling first meeting foreshadowed the many epic battles these two legends would engage in over their illustrious careers.