Shoaib Malik reacts after wife Sania Mirza bows out of final Slam

Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has reacted for the first time after his wife Sania Mirza bowed out of her last Grand Slam following loss in the Australian Open mixed doubles.

Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lost in the Australian Open mixed doubles final on Friday against Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.

Meanwhile, Malik said he is super proud of his wife for her glittering career and congratulated her for it.

"You are the much needed hope for all the women in sports. Super proud of you for all you have achieved in your career. You're an inspiration for many, keep going strong. Many congratulations on an unbelievable career," he wrote on Twitter.

The 36-year-old Sania, 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.

"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.

It should be noted here that the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next month will be Sania's last tournament on the international circuit.

Comments

Submit