For the last two days, #SaniaMirzaRetirement is the most trending hashtag across social media. In her 17-year-long illustrious career, Sania is known for her game and the gift of gab. Never to mince words, be it the length of her skirt or marrying a Pakistan born, she has always expressed herself with conviction. This time, she is in news for announcing her retirement by the end of 2022. She reasoned it out well. Sania proclaimed that her body is failing her and she is “no more enjoying the grind”.
We are absolutely impressed that a sports star of her status decided to choose her well-being, over and above her celebrity self.
“There are few reasons for it. It’s not as simple as ‘okay I’m not going to play. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I’m putting my three-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account. 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,” said a clear-headed Sania Mirza, after losing the first round of women’s doubles at Australian Open.
“I have decided 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,” Mirza said. “I still feel I can play well, go deep into tournaments and all that. But beyond this season I don’t see my body do it either. It’s beat,” she elaborated with poise and calm.
The 35-year-old tennis star from Hyderabad had scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title back in 2005. In her rewarding career, Sania has won, one singles title & 43 doubles titles. She also has six Grand Slam titles to her credit. As per the WTA website, Mirza won a total of $7,030,997(approx 52,42,38,167.32 in INR) as prize money in her career.
Mirza is an offensive baseliner, known for a very powerful groundstroke. In her own words, she had admitted, “I can hit the ball as hard as anyone can but I’m not that fast on my feet.” Recipient of Arjuna Award (2004), Padma Bhushan (2006) & Padma Shri (2016), currently Mirza is the brand ambassador for the Indian state of Telangana.
-Princy Jain
Pic Credit – Olympics.com