With ‘tears of pleasure’, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza on Sunday ended her path-breaking journey as a participant on the place from the place all of it started.
Playing in exhibition matches in opposition to Rohan Bopanna, Yuvraj Singh and her ‘finest buddy’ Bethanie Matek-Sands, Sania lastly bid farewell to her illustrious profession on the Lal Bahadur Tennis Stadium, the place she signaled her arrival on the massive stage with a historic Had given. WTA singles title received practically twenty years in the past.
Eminent personalities together with Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and former India cricket staff captain Mohammad Azharuddin witnessed the exhibition video games.
The 36-year-old Sania was greeted by followers, together with outstanding personalities, when she arrived on the venue in a glittering pink automobile.
Hyderabad: Tennis star Sania Mirza poses for a selfie with gamers Rohan Bopanna, Cara Black, Bethanie Mattek and others throughout her farewell at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Sania introduced her retirement from skilled tennis earlier this month. In Dubai Tennis Championship. (PTI Photo) (PTI03_05_2023_000050A) *** Local Caption ***
While delivering the farewell speech, an emotional Sania mentioned that the largest honor for her has been to play for the nation for 20 years.
On this event, the six-time Grand Slam winner (three in girls’s doubles and the identical quantity in combined doubles) performed two combined doubles exhibition matches and received each.
The place the place she received some memorable titles had banners like ‘Celebrating the Legacy of Sania Mirza’.
smriti mandhana sania mirza interview
On Bold Diaries, Sania and Smriti focus on cricket, tennis, stress, privilege, RCB, girls and different motivational anecdotes.#playbold #ourrcb #SheIsBold #WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/AFS9M6MFKa
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 5, 2023
Some followers held placards that learn ‘Thank you for the reminiscences’ and ‘We will miss you Sania’.
As she entered the court docket, the viewers, principally college youngsters, cheered her.
He mentioned earlier than the match, “I am very excited to play my last match in front of all of you.”
Rijiju, who was previously the Union Sports Minister, Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao, Azharuddin and Yuvraj had been among the many friends current on the venue.
Hyderabad: Tennis star Sania Mirza throughout her farewell at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Sania introduced her retirement from skilled tennis on the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this month. (PTI Photo) (PTI03_05_2023_000051B)
“I’ve come to Hyderabad for Sania Mirza’s farewell, her farewell match. I’m glad to see so many individuals stepping up for this. Sania Mirza is an inspiration not just for Indian tennis but additionally for Indian sports activities.
“When I used to be the sports activities minister, I used to come back in touch with Sania. I want him all the perfect for his future endeavours.” His relations and associates had been additionally current on the occasion.
Sania was felicitated by Rama Rao and Telangana Sports Minister V Srinivasa Goud after the match.
“The largest honor for me has been to play for my nation for 20 years. It is each athlete’s dream to characterize their nation on the highest degree. I used to be in a position to do that.
Sania turned emotional as her followers cheered her.
“These are very, very happy tears. I couldn’t have asked for a better farewell,” she mentioned.
She mentioned that though she has retired, she goes to be part of tennis and sports activities in India and Telangana.
He was hopeful that “many, many Sanias” would emerge within the nation.
Azharuddin, whose son is married to Sania’s youthful sister Anam, praised her contribution to tennis.
“I think today we bid Sania a wonderful farewell. What she has done for tennis for women in India and all over the world, I think, is an example. I wish her all the best.”
“I know people want him to continue playing more. But every career has to end. I think he has taken the right decision.”
Many followers mentioned that they’re saddened by Sania’s retirement from skilled tennis.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
