Sania Mirza in tears after final Grand Slam match
She lost in the mixed doubles final of the Australian Open
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who brought the curtain down on her professional career earlier this month, was overwhelmed with emotions while giving a speech after her final Grand Slam match.
Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lost in the Australian Open mixed doubles final on Friday against Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.
The 36-year-old Mirza, who played her first Grand Slam 18 years ago, gave a tear-jerking farewell speech.
"I just want to start with that if I cry, these are happy tears and not sad tears so that’s just a disclaimer,” Sania said.
"This is your moment and I really don’t want to take it away, and I really want you to know from the bottom of my heart that you guys played amazing, you deserved to win today, so congratulations and good luck,” she added.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next month will be Sania’s last tournament on the international circuit.
Earlier, Mirza was set to retire at the end of last season but an elbow injury ruled her out of the US Open and forced her to end 2022 as early as August.
"It started in Melbourne in 2005 when I played Serena Williams in the third round here as an 18-year-old, and that was scarily enough 18 years ago," she said.
"I've had the privilege to come back here again and again and win some tournaments here and play some great finals amongst you all and this Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life, and I couldn't think of a better arena to finish my career at in a Grand Slam. Thank you so much for making me feel at home here," she expressed.
Sania was also happy to play her final Grand Slam match with partner Rohan Bopanna, who was also her first-ever mixed doubles partner when she was 14 and won the nationals.
"It wasn't the same arena like this one, but it was a long time ago. It was 22 years ago, and I couldn't think of a better person. He's one of my best friends and one of my best partners to finish my career here and to play the final. Obviously, we couldn't get over the line but there's no better place for me and a person for me to finish my Grand Slam career. So, thank you, Rohan, for playing," she said.
The star also thanked everyone for their support throughout her career.
"Thank you so much for all the support all week guys and all my life, really. It's been truly, truly special and I wouldn't have achieved anything without each and every single one of you," she said. "Thank you very much for everything and thank you, Australia for making me feel at home."
Melbourne Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian star. In 2009, she teamed up with Mahesh Bhupathi, and the pair were crowned mixed doubles champions. Seven years later, in 2016, she and Martina Hingis claimed the women's doubles title as the top seeds.
Outside Australia, Mirza earned four other Grand Slam titles: 2015 Wimbledon and 2015 US Open women's doubles with Hingis, 2012 Roland Garros mixed doubles with Bhupathi and 2014 US Open mixed doubles with Bruno Soares.
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