Sania Mirza ends her Tennis career from where it all began for her

Indian Tennis legend Sania Mirza ended her illustrious career on Sunday by playing exhibition games featuring Rohan Bopanna, Yuvraj Singh and her ‘best friend’ Bethanie Mettek Sands at the Lal Bahadur Tennis stadium in Hyderabad. Mirza started her career in the same venue when she marked her arrival with a historic WTA singles title triumph almost two decades ago.

Famous personalities like the former Indian cricket team skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, and union law minister Kiren Rijiju were present in the stadium to see the Indian legend signing off a legendary career. Sania received a loud cheer from the fans when she entered the stadium. She played two mixed doubles exhibition matches and won both of them.

The 36-year-old got emotional while giving her farewell speech and there were tears of joy in her eyes. She said that it has been the greatest honour to play for the country for 20 years.

‘These are very, very happy tears’ – Sania

“The greatest honour for me has been to play for my country for 20 years. It is every athlete’s dream to represent their country at the highest level. I was able to do that,” said Sania at her farewell speech.

“These are very, very happy tears. I could not have asked for a better send-off,” she said when she got emotional after hearing the fans cheer.

Azharuddin, whose son is married to Sania’s younger sister Anam, also praised the Indian Tennis legend and said that she is an inspiration for all the sportswomen in the country.

“I think today we are giving a great farewell to Sania. What she has done for tennis for women in India and all over the world, I think, it is an example. I wish her all the best,” Azharuddin told reporters.

“I know people would want her to continue to play more. But every career has to end. I think she has taken the right decision,” he further added.

Sania has now been shifted to other duties as she has been selected as the mentor for the Bangalore franchise in the inaugural season of the Women’s T20 League.