Daniela Hantuchova - A Biography [Part 3/3]

In March 2002, Daniela beat Martina Hingis at the Indian Wells Final to win her first professional singles title, and netting a cool $2m in prize money.

Two more doubles titles followed, this time with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, at Amelia Island and then New Haven. Daniela was now being recognised as an emerging force in women's tennis and she would confirm this with two Grand Slam quarter-final appearances at The U.S. Open and at Wimbledon.

Her world ranking had reached the dizzy heights of #8 by the end of 2002 and Daniela had also helped Slovakia to win the Federations Cup. Things were certainly looking good for the young Slovakian. She won the WTA Tour's Most Improved Player of the Year award and was nominated for World Newcomer of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

In early 2003, Daniela continued to make further progress, improving her ranking to #5 in the world. But in the second half of the year, it became clear Daniela had hit a wall and simply could not buy a title. Rumours of an eating disorder abounded when it became clear that Daniela was shedding pounds. Could this explain the drop in form?

A change of coach did little to change things and she ended the year ranked #19. Daniela was back on the winning trail in 2004, but she has yet to make it back into the top ten and currently stands at #31 in the world.