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Shanghai - Roger Federer has complete faith that good friend and one-time doubles partner Martina Hingis is not guilty of testing positive for cocaine, a development which has ended the Swiss woman's career.
"I can't ever imagine in any way that she took drugs," Federer said during his buildup to the Masters Cup. "I hope that she can prove her innocence, I support her."
Five-time Grand Slam champion Hingis announced her second retirement from the game this month as she revealed news of a positive test during Wimbledon for the illegal substance.
Despite at first saying she would not fight back, the 27-year-old is now prepared to work and fork over what promises to be big legal fees to clear her name.
Federer and Hingis played together at the mixed teams Hopman Cup seven years ago in Perth, and the younger Federer once served as ballboy for the teenage Hingis one year his senior.
"I know she has said she was proud to have helped me at the beginning of my career," he said recalling the Hopman Cup where he and Hingis beat the US 2-1 for the title.
"At the time, playing in doubles with her was a privilege for me."
