In her first match at Roland Garros for five years, Martina Hingis outclassed American Lisa Raymond 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the French Open.
"I'm not a teenager, I'm not 19 or 18 anymore. I feel more mature as a player and as a person," said the 25-year-old who was booed by the Paris crowd for her petulant attitude while losing to Steffi Graf in the 1999 final.
"I mean, today I would probably beat the Martina back then. But who knows. Some of the things that I was doing back then, I don't have now," she told a press conference.
"But I have some weapons today which I didn't have then. It's probably the brains and everything. Experience, more mature."
Hingis won every Grand Slam except the French Open before 'retiring' in 2002. She has been a serious contender in Paris, reached the final twice and losing three semi-finals in her last five appearances on the Roland Garros clay.
Despite winning her first title, in Rome this month, since her comeback, the Swiss is not getting carried away.
"Of course, it feels better moving into tournaments, Grand Slams, with having won the last tournament. It definitely gives me hopes and chances and the confidence."
"[But] I'm not even close. I mean, I'm not even near to be there holding the trophy, being the champion," she said.
"I don't want to put any extra pressure on myself because I don't need to.
"I don't think I was totally tested today. It's hard to say something after 6-2, 6-2 against Lisa Raymond," she said.
"I'm sure once you work yourself into the tournament, you can tell more. I'm just happy that the first round's over, you can just keep practising, keep playing on these courts."
