Hingis told to attend stalker trial

Hingis has been subpoenaed to appear in Miami

Tennis star Martina Hingis will have to come face-to-face with the man accused of stalking her during his trial next month.

Dubravko Rajcevic, a Croatian-born engineer and now an Australian citizen, is charged with one count of stalking and three counts of trespassing.

Rajcevic was arrested at last year's Ericsson Open tennis tournament after security personnel asked him to leave following a complaint by Hingis's mother.

He returned the next day and was arrested for stalking, but released on £600 bond.

However, two days later he was found at the tournament again, his bail was subsequently upped to £1200 and has been in custody ever since.

Reluctant

Hingis has been subpoenaed by the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office and is scheduled to appear in court the day after this year's Ericsson tournament finishes.

The world number one has been reluctant to testify in court and has asked if she can give a video deposition.

But County Court Judge Kevin Emas has urged the State Attorneys Office to try to persuade Hingis to appear in person.

My client looks forward to going to trial and proving his innocence

  Frank Abrams - Rajcevic's Attorney

Rajcevic's attorney, Frank Abrams, declined to comment on Hingis' expected court appearance, but said that his client "looks forward to going to trial and proving his innocence".

Abrams has said that he wants other top women tennis stars to testify at the trial and will subpoena them when they arrive in Florida for the tournament.

He also argued Rajcevic has made no threats against the tennis player and has only sent her love letters and flowers and only wants a romantic relationship with her.

The trial begins on 2 April and is expected to last five days.