Sania Mirza Retires From Tennis After Losing In The First Round In Dubai.

Sania Mirza Retires From Tennis After Losing In The First Round In Dubai.

WA Sports: Sania Mirza Retires from Professional Tennis Career after First-Round Defeat in Dubai

Sania Mirza, the Indian tennis player, has played her final professional tennis match in Dubai. She lost in the first round of the women’s doubles event partnering with America’s Madison Keys against a Russian pair. The 36-year-old’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career, having been the sole representative of India in the elite level of the sport. Sania won six doubles Grand Slam titles and spent 91 weeks as the doubles World No. 1. She also became the first Indian woman to reach the second week of a singles Major and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 27 in singles.

Although Sania showed signs of being in top form during her final tournament, she had already planned to retire at the end of 2022. She extended her career by a few months due to injury but chose to retire on her own terms rather than prolong it further. Sania’s appearance and fitness, public life, statements, and stances were all closely scrutinized throughout her career. However, she remained a trailblazer and a trendsetter, inspiring young Indian women to pursue their dreams of playing sports professionally.

Sania believes that self-belief is crucial for young women athletes, and she advises them not to let anyone dictate their choices. She embraced the pressure throughout her career, believing that the difference between a champion and an average player is not just about strokes, but also how they perform when the most is at stake. Her legacy as an icon in Indian sports is sure to endure, and her powerful, whipped forehand will likely find its place in tennis iconography.

Sania Mirza, a pioneer for women's sports and tennis in India, highlighted the shortcomings of the Indian tennis system after the Indian Davis Cup team was relegated to World Group 2 for the first time since the format change. Despite being the last Indian player to win a tour-level singles title in 2005, Sania pointed out the lack of investment and support in the sport, stating that champions cannot be made this way. 

She plans to focus on mentoring players at her academies in Dubai and Hyderabad and has taken on a mentorship role with the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricket franchise in the Women's Premier League. Her aim is to find an answer to the question she is often asked, "Who will come after you, that we have not been able to find for the last 20 years?"

While there is uncertainty surrounding the identity and method of succession of the next person, it is definite that they will be inspired by the trailblazing example set by Sania.

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