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12/23/2024 08:29:28 am

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Martina Hingis Wins Wimbledon 2015 Doubles Title

Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza

(Photo : Getty Images) Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza Celebrate Wimbledon 2015 Win

Never count out legends. Martina Hingis, who has already been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and won five singles grand slam titles, is back in familiar territory as she claims the Wimbledon 2015 Women's Doubles Title along with partner Sania Mirza.

It has been 17 years since Hingis hoisted the Wimbledon crown and 15 years since she last won a grand slam trophy - her last victory before her retirement was the French Open Women's Doubles in 2000. But the Swiss Miss is now holding Wimbledon Doubles title no. 3, a remarkable feat after officially returning to the game in 2014.

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"It feels like it was in another life," Hingis told the Guardian. "But 17 years, usually you're lucky to win it once or happy to be out here and play on the Wimbledon grounds. It's above my expectations."

The pair faced Russia's Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina who were up 5-2 in the final set before losing five games straight to hand Hingis and Mirza the Championships. The match lasted more than 2 hours with a final score of 5-7, 7-6, 7-5.

"When we came out at 5-all, we had goosebumps. The energy on the court -- we were getting a standing ovation -- it was unbelievable," Mirza said as reported by ESPN. "We both came out, and I said, 'This is what we play for. This is what we work for.'"

For the no. 1 player from India, this marks her first ever Women's Doubles grand slam win. She once paired with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi and Brazil's Bruno Soares in mixed doubles, leading her to capture all grand slams but Wimbledon.

"I hope it inspires a lot of girls and makes them believe they can be Grand Slam champions too," Mirza said about her win. "I think for me as an Indian, I'm in Little India here. There are so many Indians in England. Thankfully there are a lot of us everywhere. In England especially I've always had amazing support."

Hingis' Wimbledon run is not over as she and India's Leander Paes will play in the Mixed Doubles finals against fifth seed Alexander Peya and Timea Babos. The 42-year-old Paes is looking to win his 16th grand slam title after he and Hingis defeated top-seeded Americans Mike Bryan and Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the semis.

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