In 2001, Martina Hingis won the first ever ladies tennis tournament to be held in the Middle East, the Qatar Ladies Open. With the political background of Qatar, the tournament was a controversial event but was a major success. Hingis, having won the tournament was presented with a golden head-dress and a stallion to ride off court with. It was a picturesque scene of Middle Eastern culture until the horse dropped its bowels on to the court during the trophy ceremony. Talking of her headdress prize, Hingis said: “It’s like 24-carat gold. I’m like, ‘Okay thanks.’ I don’t think I’m ever going to wear it.”
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