Sania Mirza, one of India’s greatest tennis players, gets fitting Grand Slam farewell
Sania Mirza, one of India’s greatest tennis players, gets fitting Grand Slam farewell
Trendsetter on court, and champion of breaking stereotypes off it, 36-year-old Sania Mirza leaves the Grand Slam stage where she belongs - in the final.
India's Sania Mirza addresses the audience following her mixed doubles final loss with partner Rohan Bopanna to Brazil's Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)Listen to this article05:
Sania Mirza fought back the tears as she spoke on the Rod Laver Arena for the last time. She was typically self-assured and understated in her achievement – reaching the final of her farewell Grand Slam at the Australian Open. “If I cry – these are happy tears, not sad ones,” she said.
It was not meant to be for her and compatriot Rohan Bopanna, who were defeated 6-7 (2), 2-6 in the summit clash in Melbourne by Brazilians Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos. Even though she was unable to lift the trophy, the stage – one of the most iconic courts in the history of tennis – was fitting for her farewell.
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This is where Sania belongs – the final stages of a Grand Slam. She is one of the most successful players at this stage in India’s history, with six titles. She won the Australian Open twice before, once in mixed doubles in 2009 alongside Mahesh Bhupathi, and then again in women’s doubles alongside Martina Hingis in 2016 – her last Major title.
Brazil’s Luisa Stefani, left, and Rafael Matos pose with their trophy after defeating India’s Rohan Bopanna, right, and Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Despite all the incredible highs she saw in her career on the doubles tour, it will always be the 36-year-old’s pathbreaking performances as a young woman on the singles tour that define her career.
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The six-time Grand Slam doubles champion revealed after her semifinal win on Wednesday that the most special moment of her career was actually a 1-6, 4-6 defeat in the third round in Melbourne Park back in 2005, when an 18-year-old Sania came up against the sport’s greatest competitor.
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