Wimbledon 2015: Martina Hingis ends long wait for SW19 title

Martina Hingis has now won three Wimbledon doubles titles but this was her first since 1998

Martina Hingis won her first Wimbledon title in 17 years as the former world number one combined with Sania Mirza to win a thrilling women's doubles final.

Switzerland's Hingis and Mirza of India beat Russia's Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.

Hingis was Wimbledon singles champion in 1997 and last appeared in a final at the All England Club in 1998, when she won the women's doubles.

The 34-year-old also plays in the mixed doubles final on Sunday.

"It feels like it was in another life," Hingis said of her last appearance at Wimbledon.

"I wouldn't have thought that I'd be back playing the finals here.

Martina Hingis won the doubles at Wimbledon in 1998, her last appearance in the final until Saturday

"To hold up the trophy with Sania, three years ago I would sign for this right away, that's for sure.

"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 win also marked a first Wimbledon title for Mirza, who is the number one-ranked female doubles player. Hingis is ranked second.

"Every kid that picks up a tennis racquet, this is about winning Wimbledon or playing at Wimbledon one day," said Mirza.

"I think I'm speaking for both of us, we feel privileged to be here."

Hingis, who has won five Grand Slam singles titles, won her first Wimbledon doubles title with Helena Sukova as a 15-year-old in 1996 before adding a second with Jana Novotna two years later.

She retired in 2003 at the age of 22 after a series of ankle injuries, but returned to the WTA Tour in 2006.

Hingis quit the game for a second time in November 2007, revealing she had tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon that year, and served a two-year ban.

She then came out of retirement again in 2013.

On Saturday, Hingis was making her first appearance alongside Mirza at a major doubles final and the pair combined to play their part in a match that thrilled the Centre Court crowd.

After losing the first set, Hingis and Mirza edged a closely-fought second set in the tie-break and then came back from 5-2 down in the third, winning five successive games to secure the title.