India tennis legend Sania Mirza bid adieu to the sport after playing her last WTA tournament at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Partnered with Madison Keys, she lost the match in the first round against Russian pair Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova 4-6, 0-6, drawing the curtain on a 20-year-long illustrious career.
Six-time major champion 🏆
— wta (@WTA) February 21, 2024
Former doubles World No.1 🌟
Congrats on a fantastic career, @MirzaSania 💜#ThankYouSania pic.twitter.com/7mXdiu86dQ
The American star, Madison Keys, after the match shared a heartwarming post about the six-time Grand Slam champion on Instagram. Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Registers 1st Win At Argentina Open After Injury
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for tennis and for me as a friend,” Madison Keys wrote on Instagram.
Sania partnered with Ons Jabeur at the Cincinnati Open in 2021 and the latter expressed how she admires her “habibi (beloved).
Habibi @MirzaSania ❤️ https://t.co/w8OiD43YU5
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) February 21, 2024
“Congrats on an amazing career, such a legend,” Jessica Pegula wrote on her Instagram stories.
“Amazing career. Wishing you all the best for this next chapter,” Coco Gauff wrote on her Instagram stories.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek thanked Sania for her contribution to the sport.
Thank you @MirzaSania 🙌🏼🤗 https://t.co/ZGTv5qGFqw
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) February 21, 2024
“Welcome to retirement @MirzaSania. You out did yourself time and time again both on and off the court …. Proud of you!!” compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi tweeted. Alongside him, Sania won her maiden Grand Slam at the 2009 Australian Open. Also Read: “It’s Unbelievable,” Bjorn Borg On Rafael Nadal’s Training Routine
Welcome to retirement @MirzaSania you outdid yourself time and time again both on and off the court …. Proud of you !! pic.twitter.com/xNzIykOIqH
— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) February 21, 2024
Sania Mirza reacts to the love and respect she got
Sania Mirza later reacted to the tennis world’s love and respect she has been getting from fans and fellow players.
“I’m really grateful I have that much respect,” Mirza said in a press conference at Dubai Tennis Championships.
“Having said that, it’s not like I’m retiring at 25 years old. I’m 36. I’ve had a full tennis life. I’ve been able to achieve many of my goals and more,” Mirza added.
After retirement, her first assignment will be to mentor the women cricketers of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural Women’s Premier League, which is slated to start on March 26. Also Read: Novak Djokovic Expected To Miss Out Indian Wells List
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