Excitement, tears as tennis legend Sania Mirza calls it a day

Telangana By Ajay Tomar March 5, 2023 Read the article

The atmosphere was electric at Sania Mirza’s retirement on her home turf on Sunday, 5 March, at the LB Stadium.

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The 36-year-old Sania was featured alongside tennis buddies Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Rohan Bopanna, Ivan Dodig, Marion Bartoli, and Cara Black.

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After the three-game sessions at the farewell match and the playing of Slumdog Millionaire’s “Jai Ho” track, Sania Mirza addressed the crowd.

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“I come from a time when nobody believed in me. My parents and sister made me who I am today,” the six-time Grand Slam title winner said.

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Her father Imran Mirza told South First: “It was a bit emotional, but we have achieved what we set out to do.”

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Hundreds of girls from from Nasr’ Girls School — Sania Mirza’s alma mater — were sitting on the far end of the stadium.

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“She started at the age of 12, I think. She was always disciplined, well-behaved, and patient,” sports teacher Laeeq Unisa told South First.

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Several ball boys and girls, who practise at the SATS academy, spoke to South First after the game.

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“Seeing such professional tennis players from such close quarters was a totally different experience. A great one,” a smiling Fayesha Taneja (15) and Rahul Lokesh (15) said.

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Hyderabad residents Chandni Kapoor and Kanupriya Taneja told South First how proud they were of Sania’s achievements, and that they wanted their kids to be inspired.

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