NEW DELHI: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led an outpouring of praise for Sania Mirza after she became the country's first tennis player to be ranked No. 1 in women's doubles.

Modi called the achievement “an excellent accomplishment” on his twitter page Monday after Mirza won the Family Circle title in Charleston on Sunday partnering Swiss great Martina Hingis.

Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar and current test captain Virat Kohli were among the Indian sporting heroes who were quick to congratulate Mirza.

The 28-year-old Mirza, who decided to focus on doubles in 2012 after a recurring wrist injury, won a third consecutive doubles title partnering Hingis and her 25th overall on the WTA Tour.

Married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Mirza had a highest singles ranking of No. 27 in 2007.

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