Sania Mirza, one of India’s greatest tennis players, has announced her retirement from international tennis after a glittering 20-year career. The 36-year-old has won six Grand Slam titles, 43 WTA doubles titles, and one singles trophy. Sania was seen as a trailblazer for women in sport, becoming the first Indian woman to win a WTA title, the first to reach the top 50 on the WTA rankings, the first to win a Grand Slam title, and the first to be ranked No. 1 in doubles. She also mentored the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Women’s Premier League.
Sania Mirza turned professional in 2003 and became the first Indian woman to win a WTA title of any kind at the age of 17. She also claimed the singles title, becoming the first Indian woman to do so at a WTA tournament. Two years later, Sania became the first Indian woman tennis player to reach the top 50 on the WTA rankings. In 2009, Sania won a doubles Grand Slam title, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. In 2015, Sania became the first Indian woman to be ranked No. 1 in either singles or doubles rankings in the WTA charts.
Sania’s career highlights include winning three women’s doubles Grand Slam titles with Swiss legend Martina Hingis, two mixed doubles titles with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi, and one US Open title with Bruno Soares. She has spent 91 weeks as World No. 1 in doubles rankings history, putting her in eighth place. Despite the numerous records she set, Sania always put her country first, representing India in three Olympic Games and bringing home a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Sania Mirza’s legacy as a trailblazer for women in Indian tennis will be remembered for generations to come. She has shown that with hard work and dedication, Indian women can excel in any field, including sports.
