5-time Grand Slam singles champ Hingis launches comeback, but in doubles only

CARLSBAD, Calif. – After a near six-year absence, former world No. 1 Martina Hingis is ready for a comeback to the WTA Tour.

But Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, insists her return will only be in doubles and not singles.

Hingis, 32, begins her second comeback to the Tour when she plays Wednesday night in a doubles match with Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova in the Southern California Open.

Hingis has retired twice previously, the first time in early 2003 at 22 and the last time in November 2007.

Her last WTA match was a second-round loss to China's Peng Shuai at an event in Beijing in September 2007.