Hyderabad, Jan 28 (IANS) Tennis star Sania Mirza has called off her engagement to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza due to incompatibility. Six months after the engagement took place here amid much fanfare, the couple decided to part ways as they felt incompatible.

Sania's father Imran Mirza confirmed here Thursday that the engagement had been called off saying it was a mutual decision but has nothing to do with her tennis career.

'Sania has already said there was incompatibility between the two and they both came to us. It was mutually agreed that it might be in the best interest of everyone concerned that it should be called off,' he told reporters.

Imran clarified that the decision had nothing to do with Sania's tennis career and said she would continue to play tennis.

Sania's father said the two families have known each other for half a century and they would continue to maintain good relations.

Sources close to the tennis star's family said differences cropped up between Sania and Sohrab after the engagement and they now found themselves incompatible.

The engagement had taken place at a glittering function here July 10 last year. The 22-year-old tennis star had exchanged rings with Sohrab, 23, an MBA student and son of a city-based businessman.

Sania's family had then said that the marriage would take place only after a couple of years and that she would focus on her tennis career now.

Meanwhile, Sohrab Mirza's father Adil Mirza said Sohrab was fine after the split. 'He informed me of his decision and we accepted it,' he said. He also denied that the decision had anything to do with Sania's tennis career.

Adil Mirza, a businessman, said the two families would remain close despite the decision to call off the engagement.