Sania Mirza and mixed doubles partner and compatriot Rohan Bopanna reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open where they lost to the pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos by 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. During the tournament, the former World No.1 announced her decision to retire and is set to compete in her last professional match.
Mirza, 36, doesn’t certainly look like she can’t play anymore. But others’ opinions aside, the six-time Grand Slam doubles champion wants to do it on her own terms, and no one can convince her to change that decision. Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Registers 1st Win At Argentina Open After Injury
“I want people to ask me why I’m retiring, rather than when. It is very important for me to do things on my own terms. That’s how I’ve lived my life, and whether that’s on the court or off it,” she told ESPN in an interview.
Sania Mirza explains why she wants to retire from tennis
Sania then stated her reasons for retiring, shedding light on why it’s important for her to retire from the game when she is on the top. “I just don’t have that drive anymore.” She is aware that her body is not able to take that grind anymore and that she doesn’t want to do something that she loves like this. The Dubai Open next week will be her last tournament. She will partner with American player Madison Keys at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai.
This wasn’t the first time she announced her decision to leave the sport. After the 2022 Australian Open, she decided to bid adieu but injury derailed her participation in the second half of the season. She pushed back that retirement. Why? The same reason, that she wants to do it on her own terms. She decided to fight again to make sure she leaves the game when she wanted to. That certainly doesn’t mean she is going to leave the sport altogether. Also Read: “It’s Unbelievable,” Bjorn Borg On Rafael Nadal’s Training Routine
Sania started the sport professionally in 2001, became the first Indian to reach the third round of a Grand Slam, then became the first to win singles and doubles WTA tour title, won six Grand Slams (three in mixed doubles and three in women’s doubles), even reached the No.1 spot in doubles.
After retirement, Sania will be mentoring the players of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL), which is scheduled to start on March 4. Also Read: Novak Djokovic Expected To Miss Out Indian Wells List
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