Biography
Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sania Mirza paired up periodically between 2006 and 2012. During that time, they picked up two titles - Cincinnati in 2007 and Brussels in 2012.
The American-Indian duo decided to join forces more regularly in 2013, and they quickly established themselves as a force on the doubles court with a title in their first event of the season in Brisbane. They collected another Premier-level title the following month in Dubai.
Unlike most players who are so serious on the court, Mattek-Sands and Mirza are known to be often smiling and laughing.
"We're generally pretty cheerful people, I think," said Mirza, who decided to play doubles exclusively starting in the summer of 2012. "I think that's what gets us through a lot of matches. We're great friends, of course, but I think more than that we really enjoy playing tennis. There's no point getting down on yourself. That kind of works for us. Maybe it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us. Even when we're smiling in between points, we know when we play it's going to be intense again and we're going to be right back. I like to smile and enjoy tennis and competing, and live for moments like that.
"Fortunately I found somebody who can do that too."
Both players have enjoyed success with a variety of partners, with Mirza's greatest doubles moments being capturing Indian Wells alongside Elena Vesnina in 2011 and reaching the French Open final with her later the same year.
TEAM STATS
2013 Record: 13-6
Career Record: 42-20
Career Record On Hard: 29-13
Career Record On Clay: 8-4
Career Record On Grass: 5-3
Career Grand Slam Record: 10-6
2013 HIGHLIGHTS
WON (2): Brisbane, Dubai
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
WON (4): 2013 - Brisbane, Dubai; 2012 - Brussels; 2007 - Cincinnati
MATTEK-SANDS' INDIVIDUAL DOUBLES STATS
Titles: 12
Career-High Ranking: No.11
MIRZA'S INDIVIDUAL DOUBLES STATS
Titles: 16
Career-High Ranking: No.7
