Melbourne: One of India’s most celebrated sports stars Sania Mirza has announced she will retire from tennis after this ongoing season. The ace tennis star’s decision came after her first-round loss in the women’s doubles in the Australian Open on Wednesday.
“I’ve decided that this will be my last season. I’m taking it week by week. Not sure if I can last the season, but I want to,” she told reporters.
Sania and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok lost 4-6, 6-7(5) to the Slovenian team of Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan in one hour and 37 minutes.
”I think my body is wearing down. My knee was really hurting today and I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I’m getting older,” Sania told broadcasters after the match at Melbourne Park.
“Also for me to find that motivation everyday to come out. The energy is not the same anymore. There are more days than there used to be where I don’t feel like doing that. I’ve always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I’m not sure I’m enjoying as much anymore,” she added.
“Having said that, I still want to play the season because I’m enjoying it enough to play the year. I’ve worked very hard to come back, get fit, lose the weight and try to set a good example for mothers, new mothers to follow their dreams as much as they can. Beyond this season, I don’t feel my body doing it. It’s beat.”
Sania made her debut in 2003 and has previously held the World No. 1 position in women’s doubles. She’s also won six Grand Slam singles championships, three in women’s doubles and another six in mixed doubles. In 2007, she achieved her greatest singles ranking of 27.
Mirza, 35, became the first Indian to win a WTA singles title in 2005. Following a two-year maternity leave, she returned to competitive tennis in 2019.
Mirza is one of India’s most well-known athletes, with about 25 million Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram followers.
In a cricket-obsessed culture, she is credited with motivating young ladies to play tennis.
