Hingis plans to quit doubles

Martina Hingis announced on Wednesday that she has no plans to play doubles again this season.

World number one Hingis originally intended to team up with Monica Seles to compete in several doubles events this year, but now says she will concentrate exclusively on singles.

"I'm tired of doubles," she said. "Now it's very nice to only play the singles. Last week in Doha I was at some of the parties with the sponsors, so it also gives me more freedom and more privacy so I can go to things I wouldn't attend normally.

"So, I'm not thinking of playing doubles this year, but if I feel I can handle everything maybe I will.

"Before, I would like to play doubles first to have a match on the surface, but now I prefer to practise more because the doubles matches get too tough and there's too much stress," added Hingis, who blamed her defeat by Jennifer Capriati in the final of the Australian Open on her heavy schedule.

Hingis dumped previous doubles partner Anna Kournikova at the start of the year following an on-court row during an exhibition tournament in Chile in November. The pair had won nine titles together including the 1999 Australian Open.