Will the Sania- Hingis phenomenon turn the spotlight on women's doubles?

At the time of writing this article, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis are on a 22-match unbeaten streak. Exactly the same as Novak Djokovic. ‘Santina’, as they are now being referred to, have won 9 titles this year. Just one less than Djokovic, having started playing together only in March. Djokovic, deservingly, is acknowledged as having one of the greatest tennis seasons of all time. You don’t, however, see the newspapers and journalists go gaga over Sania and Hingis' achievements this year or speculating about a ‘Santina Slam’.

Not many people cared for the fact that Sania was a fast rising talent at that time or that Maria Sharapova looked like rewriting a lot of records having won Wimbledon, at 17, just a year ago. These were definitely two of the hottest players on the tour at the time (pun intended). If it sounds sexist, it is the sad truth. Tennis does not escape the general affliction which affects women’s sport- looks matter. Ask Sepp Blatter! While men’s tennis is described in gladiatorial terms, the discussions surrounding women’s tennis is the decibel level of the players’ shrieks as they put in that extra effort.

It was one of those tournaments where the mercurial Safin was ranked low enough to meet Roger Federer in the 3rd round. Even though two-and-a-half years had passed since their legendary Australian Open semi-final, the memories from that match lingered on. It was a match that I had been looking forward to since the draw was made. However, the broadcaster decided that a match featuring one of the country’s own would draw a bigger audience. And therefore, just as Federer and Safin started hitting on the show courts, the channel switched coverage to Sania’s doubles match happening on one of the outside courts.

It was a most infuriating thing to do. As I saw it back then, and still do, it was pure commercial interests which dictated that move. What I wonder though is if the TRPs really justified that move. I would really doubt that. I for one, do not even remember who Sania’s partner for that match was.

It was then, sitting in the crowd, that I finally began to appreciate Sania’s talent, Martina’s genius and their combined greatness. Any tennis crowd wants a tight contest, except when it comes to Federer where they are just plain happy to see him display the mastery of his craft.

Yet, I realized that day that ‘Santina’ are possibly no less of a phenomenon than Federer. The way they set up their points. The manner in which they covered the court. Their understanding of each other’s strengths. Their instinctive, almost supernatural, ability to read their partner’s play and the opponents. If there was an exhibition of tennis that could convert any skeptic to a believer in the artistry of doubles, this would be right up there. Just a few months earlier, they had played, what many would term as the best final of Wimbledon 2015. It was also perhaps the last time they were forced to compete so hard this year. Such has been their overwhelming dominance.

@WTA @mhingis @MirzaSania what a dominating performance from the world #1 team but particularly Sania- just awesome!

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) November 1, 2015