World No 1 Roger Federer on Sunday rode to the defense of fellow Swiss Martina Hingis, who inspired him as a young player, dismissing suggestions she could have taken drugs.

Former women's No 1 Hingis, 27, announced her retirement on November 1 after admitting she was under investigation for a positive test for cocaine.

Her manager confirmed during the week that she will fight her positive test.

And Federer, 26, insisted that he would be backing Hingis in her fight to clear her name.

"I can't ever imagine in any way that she took drugs," Federer said in an interview with the weekly Le Matin on Sunday.

"I really hope that she can prove her innocence. I support her," he said.

Federer revealed that Hingis, one of the teenage stars of the game in the 1990s, was a player who had inspired him.

(China Daily via AFP November 12, 2007)