It was an emotional farewell. Six-time Grand Slam winner, Sania Mirza, struggled to carry her tears again on the thanks-giving speech.
On her remaining day on the court docket, Sania performed a few exhibition matches together with her illustrious companions Rohan Bopanna, Ivan Dodig, Cara Black, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Marion Bartoli on the LB Stadium tennis advanced centre court docket right here on Sunday earlier than hanging her boots.
Also Read | Sania Mirza, the shining mild of Indian tennis
“I am thankful to each and everyone for the kind of send-off given to me today. I couldn’t have asked for a better farewell,” an emotional Sania stated.
“It all began here in 2002 when I won medals in the National Games. Then in 2004, I won my first WTA title (doubles).
“As someone said, it has been a one-handed drive for me. Yes, it has been an honour to represent the country at the highest level for 20 long years,” she added.
Tennis Stars Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands being welcomed at Sania Mirza tennis academy in Hyderabad on March 4, 2023.
“It was so difficult for not many to believe in a young kid taking up tennis, more so a girl. But, it was only my parents who believed in me and have been with me right through this journey,” stated Sania.
“Yes, I am going to (…pauses for a long moment wiping off the tears even as the crowds lustily chanted Sania Sania) to miss the game. But I can tell you I will be there with the Telangana Government and the Sports Authority of Telangana State to produce another Sania,” she acknowledged.
“In fact, we need more and more Sanias and will work for that for sure,” she stated.
“These are happy tears. I miss you guys,” signed off Sania.
Stars, ministers and police officer enlighten the occasion
Earlier, becoming a member of the tennis stars within the exhibition matches was former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who partnered Bethanie to play towards Sania and Dodig.
It was apparent that Sania was the cynosure of all eyes for the time being.
If the primary couple of exhibition matches have been crammed with enjoyable, the blended doubles match, the place Sania partnered one among her most profitable companions Rohan towards Dodig and Bethanie, offered glimpses of Sania’s famed artistry.
Those trademark forehand returns, the deft drops on the web and people spirited, diving interceptions have been to the fore as the gang cheered Sania each time she scored some extent and helped her staff win ‘the contest’.
With the Mirza household in attendance – father Imran, mom Nasima, sister Anam, brother-in-law Asad, Anam’s father-in-law former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin- the event was not bereft of the moments which all of them would certainly like to freeze in reminiscence.
When given the mike to precise her ideas, a feminine fan was uncontrollably weeping, which made Sania stroll throughout to share emotions with a contact of heat.
Another feminine fan, additionally crying, stated that Sania represented the ladies’s drive preventing towards all odds.
‘Sania is truly inspirational’: Kiren Rijiju
Telangana IT Minister Okay.T. Rama Rao, Sports Minister V. Srinivas Goud, lauded Sania for her “inspirational career”, and introduced mementos to Sania, her relations and the tennis stars.
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, current on the ceremony, stated, “I have come here for the farewell event and the crowds here show that Sania is truly inspirational not just for tennis players but for the entire country with her achievements.”
City Police Commissioner C.V. Anand was additionally current on the occasion.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com