India’s Sania Mirza ended her Grand Slam profession after the Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos defeated Mirza and Rohan Bopanna on Friday.
This was Mirza’s final match in a Grand Slam event earlier than retirement.
Mirza, who has gained six Grand Slam doubles championships – three in combined, together with the 2009 Australian Open – will retire subsequent month after a event in Dubai.
Mirza turned the primary Indian girl to be seeded at a Grand Slam occasion on the 2006 Australian Open.
At that point, she defeated two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in her opening recreation.
On Saturday, Azarenka paid tribute to her Indian counterpart and wrote: “Just wanted to congratulate @MirzaSania on your career and thank you for being such an inspiration to so many girls who can dream so big! I’ll still see you soon but those tears of joy on the court made me cry too”
simply need to say congrats in your profession @MirzaSania And thanks for being such an inspiration to so many ladies who can dream so large! I’ll nonetheless see you quickly however these tears of pleasure on the courtroom made me cry too ❤️
— Victoria Azarenka (@vika7) January 28, 2023
Earlier through the presentation of the trophy on Friday, an emotional Mirza stated, “Disclaimer, if I cry, it is tears of joy.” “I don’t want to take the moment from Matos-Stefani who deserves it.”
The 36-year-old Mirza first appeared in a Grand Slam event 18 years in the past in Melbourne when she was knocked out in a third-round match by 2005 champion Serena Williams.
“I have been fortunate to come here time and again and win some tournaments and play some great finals,” Mirza stated. “Rod Laver Arena has been really special in my life and I couldn’t think of a better arena to end my career at the Grand Slam.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
