Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza is all set to be conferred with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award after her name was approved by the Awards Committee on 11 August.

Sania Mirza recently won her career's first-ever women's doubles Grand Slam title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis in June. She also became world number one before winning the Grass Court major.

The Awards Committe, formed by the Sports Ministry, considered Sania Mirza for India's highest sporting honour ahead of other stars including squash star Dipika Pallikal, discus throwers Vikas Gowda and Seema Punia, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shuttler Kidambi Srikanth.

Sania, who has won three mixed doubles Grand Slams in her career, is reportedly competing with Squash player Deepika Pallikal and discus thrower Vikas Gowda for the prestigious award.

She was awarded the Arjuna award by the Indian government in 2004. Later in 2006, she was also awarded the Padma Shri - India's fourth highest honour - for her achievements as a tennis player.

Sania's father and coach Imran Mirza had earlier said that it was a great honour for her to be recommended for the Khel Ratna.

"It is a great honour to be nominated for the Khel Ratna award. This is surely going to inspire her to earn more laurels for the country," Imran Mirza had said on Sania's nomination.