Sania Mirza Receives Tributes From Sporting Icons As She Draws Curtains on Her Glorious Tennis Career
New Delhi, February 22: One of India’s most celebrated athletes, former doubles world No. 1 Sania Mirza has received tributes after retiring from professional tennis at the age of 36, playing her final match in Dubai on Tuesday. Mirza and her American doubles partner Madison Keys lost their match in the first round of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships 4-6, 0-6 to Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova. Sania Mirza ends her career with a first round loss at the 2023 WTA Dubai Duty Free Championships.
From Mirza’s mixed doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi, with whom Sania won her first-ever Grand Slam (Australian Open) in 2009, to former Indian pacesetter Jhulan Goswami shared their reactions on social media to the Indian tennis icon’s retirement. Taking to Twitter, Bhupathi took a stroll down memory lane, sharing a picture of her Grand Slam victory and saying: “Welcome to retirement @MirzaSania, you’ve always outdone yourself, both on and off the pitch. Proud of you!”
Former teammate Mahesh Bhupathi wishes Sania Mirza
Goswami wished Mirza a happy retirement, calling her a role model and an inspiration: “The end of an era! Today #IndianTennis bids farewell to the icon who became a role model and an inspiration to millions. Happy retirement @MirzaSania.”
Jhulan Goswami wishes Sania Mirza
“Sania Mirza – An island of hope in a sea of mediocrity… A story of hard work, courage, determination and dedication finally comes to an end. From a rising tennis star to one of India’s national sporting icons, thank you for all the memories and love…” tweeted the All India Tennis Association.
AITA wishes Sania Mirza
Women’s Tennis Association said: “Six-time major champion, former doubles world No. 1. Congratulations on an amazing career”
WTA wishes Sania Mirza
Former Indian cricketer Rudra Pratap Singh wrote: “You are one of the finest athletes of this generation and have set such a high standard with your exceptional performance. I wish you a happy retirement!”Indian tennis star Sania Mirza offers her condolences as deadly earthquake hits Syria and Turkey.
RP Singh wishes Sania Mirza
Mirza, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has won 44 WTA titles in her career. Her last double triumph came at the Ostrava Open2021 in the Czech Republic, where she partnered with Chinese Zhang Shuai. The Indian tennis star ended her legendary Grand Slam career as runner-up in the mixed doubles at the Australian Open last month.
(The story above first appeared on LatestLY on February 22, 2023 4:20 p.m. IST. For more politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle news and updates, visit our website Latestly.com).
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