Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza has announced that the 2022 season will be her last one before she retires. The 35-year-old revealed the decision after her first round loss at the Australian Open.
“I’ve decided that this will be my last season. I’m taking it week by week. Not sure if I can last the season, but I want to,” the 35-year-old said at the post-match press conference.
“I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I’m putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down,” she said after her match.
“Also, for me to find that motivation every day to come out, the energy is not the same anymore. There are more days than there used to be where I don’t feel like doing that…
Australian Open loss didn’t decide for Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza, seeded 12th with Nadiia Kichenok, lost to the duo of Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek 4-6, 6-7 (5). The loss in the opening round didn’t trigger the decision for her, and she had decided to go out on her own terms, just like the entirety of her career.
Mirza is the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam, and has won majors in doubles along with medals at Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. She is a former world number 1 in doubles and has achieved a career-high ranking of 27 in singles competition.
Her last title came in September 2021, after she returned from a career break, winning the Ostrava Open with Shuai Zhang.
