My love match with Sol

The colourful love life of England footballer Sol Campbell took another twist today after tennis star Martina Hingis revealed they were an item. Friends say the pair have been together since December and are desperate to see more of each other.

The couple are struggling to reconcile Campbell's football commitments with the travelling the former Wimbledon champion must do as she relaunches her tennis career.

Hingis, 24, has reportedly told friends their busy schedules are the main barrier between them and a full relationship. She decided to confirm the relationship in an interview with a Swiss magazine.

She said: "I like Sol a lot and we see each other whenever possible but he has many matches and I have my appointments. It is not easy for us both."

The liaison follows a turbulent period in Campbell's private life. Last year he was dating interior designer Kelly Hoppen but they split up in September after 10 months together.

Weeks later the 30-year-old Arsenal defender was photographed outside the Islington home of pop singer Dido. Arsenal fan Dido, 32, is said to have ended the relationship in December. By then Campbell had already met Hingis. Both are sponsored by adidas and at a publicity launch for the company in October Ramon Vega, Campbell's Swiss former team-mate at Tottenham, introduced them to each other. Campbell, like Hingis a United Nations goodwill ambassador, met her again as they turned out to publicise a UN sports initiative at Somerset House.