Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who recently retired from her Grand Slam career, received well wishes and messages from her loved ones, including her husband and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
Malik called Sania a “hope” for all women in sports and said she was proud of everything she had achieved in her long career.”
You are the much needed hope for all women in sports. So proud of you for what you have achieved in your career. You are an inspiration to so many, keep going strong. An incredible Congratulations on your career…,” he said.
Sania replied to her husband with a “thank you” and a smiley face emoji.
Thank you 😊 https://t.co/Di5ZBBWFOb
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) January 29, 2023
The 36-year-old athlete – who played his first Grand Slam 18 years ago – played the final Australian Open event of his career on Friday.
He gave a tearful farewell speech at the Australian Open. The tennis star could hardly contain her emotions and said: “I just want to start by saying that if I cry, it’s tears of joy and not tears of sadness, so it’s just a denial.”
Sania also revealed that while she will play a few more tournaments, she has retired from professional tennis and ended her speech by thanking everyone for their support. “Thank you guys so much for all the support all week and all my life. It’s been really, really special and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.
“Thank you so much for everything and thank you, Australia for making me feel at home.
“From 2009 to 2016, Sania won six Grand Slam doubles titles – three women’s doubles and mixed doubles. In 2015, she also became the world No. 1 in the women’s doubles rankings.
The Australian Open Twitter account also shared a post praising Sania’s dedication and achievement, saying: “A trailblazer for women in sport. Thank you Sania.”
A trailblazer for women in sport 🇮🇳🎾
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023
Thank you, Sania ❤️@MirzaSania • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/hVArmoOhmV
From 2009 to 2016, Sania won six Grand Slam doubles titles – three women’s doubles and mixed doubles. In 2015, she also became the world No. 1 in the women’s doubles rankings.
