MELBOURNE: Indian tennis pioneer Sania Mirza, who played with Rohan Bopanna in the Australian Open mixed-doubles final—her first partner 22 years ago—lost and announced her retirement from the Grand Slam competition on Friday.
The 36-year-old Mirza, who is regarded as her nation’s best female tennis player, made one final trip to Melbourne Park and advanced to the final set.
She and 42-year-old Bopanna, though, fell short against Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos of Brazil, losing 7-6 (7/2), 6-2.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, Mirza was in tears.
Mirza, a six-time Grand Slam champion—three in doubles and three in mixed—reported that Rohan was his first-ever mixed-doubles partner when they were both just 14 years old. They won the nationals.
“I couldn’t think of a finer guy – he’s one of my best friends and partners – to finish my career here and to play the final, but it was a long time ago, 22 years ago.
“There is no better person or place for me to end my Grand Slam career,” she said.
“Sania Mirza plays in Grand Slam final before retirement in front of her family”
Mirza, whose son Izhaan is a small boy, said it was fantastic to play in front of him in a significant final. Mirza is married to former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik.
It is extremely special to have my four-year-old and my parents here, she added. She never imagined she would be able to play in front of her child in a Grand Slam final.
Mirza, a fierce rule-breaker, became the first Indian to win a WTA singles championship in 2005 in her native Hyderabad.
In the same year, she advanced to the fourth round of the US Open. By 2007, she was ranked among the top 30 women.
However, a wrist injury forced her to focus on doubles. She teamed up with Swiss great Martina Hingis to win three Grand Slam championships.
Sania Mirza has recently opened a tennis academy in Dubai, where she has lived for more than 10 years. She is scheduled to retire from all tennis after completing a tournament there.
