Former world number one Martina Hingis has confirmed that she will come out of retirement to play doubles at next week's Southern California Open.
The five-time Grand Slam singles champion will play alongside Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova at the tournament in Carlsbad, which starts on July 27.
"I am very much looking forward to making a return to competitive play at the Southern California Open," Hingis told reporters.
"My competitive spirit is still very much alive and I love being out on court."
Hingis, 32, has not played a WTA event for almost six years, having quit tennis after testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon in 2007.
She subsequently served a two-year ban, although she maintains her innocence.
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
