Tennis Former doubles No 1 Mirza retires from professional tennis

[Lupin]

Former WTA doubles world No 1 Sania Mirza has retired from professional tennis at the age of 36 after her final match in Dubai on Tuesday.

She lost alongside American partner Madison Keys 6-4 6-0 to the formidable Russian pair Vernokia Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova.

Mirza won 43 WTA doubles titles in her career, including three Grand Slam women's doubles titles alongside Martina Hingis.

The 36-year-old also won three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

Mirza gave birth to son Izhaan in 2018 and is one of the growing number of players who have made successful returns to the tour after maternity leave.