With “blissful tears”, Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza on Sunday ended her path-breaking journey as a participant on the place the place all of it started.
By enjoying in exhibition matches that includes Rohan Bopanna, Yuvraj Singh and her ‘greatest good friend’ Bethanie Mettek Sands, Sania lastly mentioned goodbye to her illustrious profession on the Lal Bahadur Tennis Stadium, the venue the place she signalled her arrival on the massive stage with a historic WTA singles title triumph practically 20 years in the past.
The exhibition video games have been watched by eminent personalities, together with union legislation minister Kiren Rijiju and former India cricket workforce captain Mohammed Azharuddin.
Having arrived on the venue in a swanky purple automotive, the 36-year-old Sania was greeted by cheering followers that additionally included distinguished personalities.
Hyderabad: Tennis star Sania Mirza poses for selfie with gamers Rohan Bopanna, Cara Black, Bethanie Mattek and others throughout her farewell on the Lal Bahadur Stadium, in Hyderabad, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Sania introduced her retirement from skilled tennis earlier this month on the Dubai Tennis Championships. (PTI Picture) (PTI03_05_2023_000050A) *** Native Caption ***
Sania, who turned emotional whereas giving her farewell speech, mentioned the best honour for her has been to play for the nation for 20 years.
On the event, the six-time Grand Slam winner (three in ladies’s doubles and as many in blended doubles) performed two blended doubles exhibition matches and gained each of them.
The venue, the place she had gained some memorable titles, wore a festive look with banners like ‘Celebrating The Legacy of Sania Mirza’ put up.
Some followers held placards that learn ‘thanks for the reminiscences’ and ‘we’ll miss you, Sania’.
Spectators, principally college kids, cheered her as she entered the courtroom.
“I’m so excited to play my final match in entrance of you all,” she mentioned, talking forward of the match.
Rijiju, who was previously the union sports activities minister, Telangana minister Ok T Rama Rao, Azharuddin and Yuvraj have been among the many visitors current on the venue.
Hyderabad: Tennis star Sania Mirza throughout her farewell on the Lal Bahadur Stadium, in Hyderabad, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Sania introduced her retirement from skilled tennis earlier this month on the Dubai Tennis Championships. (PTI Picture) (PTI03_05_2023_000051B)
“I’ve come to Hyderabad for Sania Mirza’s send-off, her farewell match. I’m delighted to see so many individuals turning up for this. Sania Mirza is an inspiration not only for Indian tennis however for India sports activities too,” mentioned Rijiju.
“Once I was the sports activities minister I was contact with Sania. I want her all the perfect for her future endeavours.” Her members of the family and mates have been additionally current on the venue.
After the match, Sania was felicitated by Rama Rao and Telangana sports activities minister V Srinivas Goud.
“The best honour for me has been to play for my nation for 20 years. It’s each athlete’s dream to characterize their nation on the highest degree. I used to be ready to do this,” Sania, who thanked everybody for supporting her in her journey, mentioned.
As followers cheered her, Sania turned emotional.
“These are very, very blissful tears. I couldn’t have requested for a greater send-off,” she mentioned.
Although she might have retired, she goes to be a part of tennis and sports activities in India and in Telangana, she mentioned.
She hoped that “many, many Sanias” would emerge within the nation.
Azharuddin, whose son is married to Sania’s youthful sister Anam, praised her contribution to tennis.
“I feel right this moment we’re giving an excellent farewell to Sania. What she has completed for tennis for ladies in India and everywhere in the world, I feel, it’s an instance. I want her all one of the best,” Azharuddin instructed reporters.
“I do know individuals would need her to proceed to play extra. However each profession has to finish. I feel she has taken the proper resolution,” he mentioned.
A number of followers mentioned they really feel unhappy over Sania retiring from skilled tennis.