Sania Mirza bids a tearful goodbye to Australian Open 2023
Sania Mirza bids a tearful goodbye to Australian Open 2023
Sania Mirza, an Indian trailblazer, had to exit Grand Slam tennis on Friday, losing in the Australian Open mixed-doubles final with Rohan Bopanna, her first playing partner 22 years ago.
The 36-year-old Mirza is one of the greatest female tennis players in her country, returned to Melbourne Park for one last hurrah and reached the final. However, she and 42-year-old Bopanna were unable to meet their objectives, falling 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 to Brazilian duo Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.
Mirza was overcome with emotions, and was seen having teary eyes during the post-match presentation ceremony.” Rohan was my first-ever mixed-doubles partner at (aged) 14 and we won the nationals,” said Mirza
What did Mirza say after the match?
“It was a long time ago, 22 years ago, and I couldn’t think of a better person – he’s one of my best friends and best partners – to finish my career here and to play the final.”
“There’s no better place for me, or person for me, to finish my Grand Slam career.”
Mirza is married to former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik and has a four-year-old son named Izhaan and described playing in front of him in a major final to be an incredible experience.
“I never thought that I would be able to play in front of my child in a Grand Slam final, so it’s truly special to have my four-year-old and my parents here,” she said.
Mirza won the WTA singles title in Hyderabad in 2005, becoming the first Indian woman to do it. In the US Open the following year, she reached round four, and by 2007, she was ranked in the list of top 30 female athletes.
She had to focus on doubles because of a wrist injury, and she linked up with Swiss ace Martina Hingis to win three Grand Slam competitions.
She aims at calling it quits from tennis after a match in Dubai, where she has lived for more than ten years and most recently established a tennis academy.
Also Read:
