Melbourne: Sania Mirza has announced that she will retire from the sport after the conclusion of the 2022 season.
India’s most successful female tennis player, Sania shared her retirement plans after the former World No.1 and her doubles partner Nadiia Kichenok suffered an early exit from the 2022 edition of the Australian Open. The 35-year-old had become the first Indian to clinch a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title in 2005.
Sania had scripted history in the WTA singles event at Hyderabad. The tennis icon is married to former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. The 35-year-old last won a women’s doubles title at the Ostrava Open in September. Sania won six Grand Slam titles in her glittering tennis career. According to WTA, Sania has earned $7,030,997 (around INR 52,29,35,323.57 crores approx) as prize money in her trophy-laden tennis career.
Sania shared the retirement announcement during a press conference. Speaking at a presser after her defeat in the Australian Open women’s doubles first round, Saina confirmed that the tennis ace will hang up her racquet at the end of the 2022 season.
There’s a bunch of reasons for it. I do feel my recovery is taking longer and considering my son is three years old, I do feel I am putting him at risk by travelling so much with him.
Unfortunately the pandemic is making us take certain decision for the well-being of ourself and family, Mirza said.