By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday February 21, 2023

 

One of the most iconic legends of her generation, Sania Mirza bid farewell to the sport with inspiring words for generation next.
 

One of India’s greatest sporting legends has hung up her tennis racquets for good.



After bowing out of the doubles draw on Tuesday, Sania Mirza reflected on a groundbreaking career that saw her make history for her country as a female icon, a World No.1 and an inspirational agent of change who elevated the standard for women in her country and around the world.

As has frequently been the case over the years, there was a message to be delivered by Mirza in her final post-match press conference: Believe in yourself.

“As little girls, especially young girls who choose to do something that's outside of the box in our part of the world, we are often told we cannot do something rather than we can,” 36-year-old Mirza said. “It was no different for me. It's no different for a lot of young girls who choose to do things that are not really what society expects them to do as a young woman.”

Mirza’s message is one of positivity and self-belief. She urges young women to back themselves and dare to dream.

“I just want to tell them that you have to back yourself and believe in yourself,” she said. “If you are not your biggest cheerleader, nobody else is ever going to believe in you. No matter how many odds you face, how many odds are against you, if nobody's even ever done it before, whatever path you choose, believe that you can do it.

“I think it's very, very important to have that belief in yourself.”

Mirza and Madison Keys’ 6-4, 6-0 loss to Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova marks the end of a magical career, and a magical era for Indian women’s tennis.

As the sun sets on Mirza’s legendary career, we look back at some of the iconic moments that shaped her indelible career.

Sania Mirza, Groundbreaking Achievements

First Indian woman to win a WTA title - Mirza accomplished the task in Hyderabad in 2004, winning the doubles title there with 1 Liezel Huber.

First Indian woman to win a WTA singles title - As a No. 134-ranked wild card, Mirza won the title at Hyderabad the next year in singles.

First Indian woman to reach the third round of a major – Mirza reached the third round of the 2005 Australian Open as a No. 166-ranked wild card, falling to eventual champion Serena Williams, 6-1, 6-4.

First Indian woman to reach the fourth round of a major soon after – Mirza one-upped herself later that season, reaching the fourth round of the 2005 US Open, before falling to Maria Sharapova.

First Indian woman to hold a Top-100 ranking, a Top-50 ranking and a Top-30 ranking – She topped out at No.27.

India’s first female Grand Slam winner – Mirza teamed with Mahesh Bhupathi to win the 2009 Australian Open mixed doubles title together. Mirza is the highest-ranked singles player in Indian history, topping out at No.27

Mirza held the WTA’ s No.1 ranking in doubles for 91 weeks – and was the first Indian female to ever hold the No.1 ranking - Mirza climbed to the top of the WTA doubles rankings on April 13, 2015 and remained there for a total of 91 weeks. That number – 91 weeks – is eighth most in WTA history for doubles.

Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam doubles title – achieving the feat 2015 when she won Wimbledon with Martina Hingis. She would win two more women’s doubles Slam titles within a year.

Sania Mirza, Grand Slam titles:

Doubles

2015 – Wimbledon (with Martina Hingis)
2015 – US Open (with Martina Hingis)
2016 – Australian Open (with Martina Hingis)

Mixed Doubles

2009 – Australian Open (with Mahesh Bhupathi)
2012 – Roland Garros (with Mahesh Bhupathi)
2014 – US Open (with Bruno Soares)