Paris, Jul 17 (IANS): Six years after her retirement, former World No.1 Martina Hingis is to return to play doubles at the Southern California Open in Carlsbad from July 27 to Aug 4.

The Swiss star will team up with her former partner Daniela Hantuchova from Slovakia and is satisfied with her current competitive spirit.

"My competitive spirit is still very much alive," Hingis was quoted as saying by BBC.

"I feel in good shape at the moment after playing World Team Tennis. I love being out on court. I am very much looking forward to making a return to competitive play at the Southern California Open. I remember winning the singles and doubles here in 1997 and winning the singles again in 1999."

Hingis, winner of 43 WTA titles, retired twice. She first retired in 2003 at the age of 22 owing to recurring ankle injury before returning to the WTA Tour in 2006.

The 32-year-old quit the sport again in 2007 after she was tested for cocaine. Subsequently, she was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation.

Hingis has won five Grand Slam singles titles and nine in doubles and had been the World No.1 for 209 weeks.