With “satisfied tears”, Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza on Sunday ended her path-breaking adventure as a participant on the position the place all of it started.
By means of taking part in in exhibition fits that includes Rohan Bopanna, Yuvraj Singh and her ‘perfect good friend’ Bethanie Mettek Sands, Sania in any case mentioned good-bye to her illustrious occupation on the Lal Bahadur Tennis Stadium, the venue the place she signalled her arrival at the large degree with a ancient WTA singles identify triumph just about twenty years in the past.
The exhibition video games have been watched by way of eminent personalities, together with union legislation minister Kiren Rijiju and previous India cricket group captain Mohammed Azharuddin.
Having arrived on the venue in a swanky crimson automobile, the 36-year-old Sania was once greeted by way of cheering lovers that still incorporated distinguished personalities.
Hyderabad: Tennis megastar Sania Mirza poses for selfie with gamers Rohan Bopanna, Cara Black, Bethanie Mattek and others all the way through her farewell on the Lal Bahadur Stadium, in Hyderabad, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Sania introduced her retirement from skilled tennis previous this month on the Dubai Tennis Championships. (PTI Picture) (PTI03_05_2023_000050A) *** Native Caption ***
Sania, who grew to become emotional whilst giving her farewell speech, mentioned the best honour for her has been to play for the rustic for two decades.
At the instance, the six-time Grand Slam winner (3 in girls’s doubles and as many in combined doubles) performed two combined doubles exhibition fits and received either one of them.
The venue, the place she had received some memorable titles, wore a festive glance with banners like ‘Celebrating The Legacy of Sania Mirza’ publish.
Some lovers held placards that learn ‘thanks for the recollections’ and ‘we will be able to omit you, Sania’.
Spectators, most commonly faculty kids, cheered her as she entered the court docket.
“I’m so excited to play my ultimate fit in entrance of you all,” she mentioned, talking forward of the fit.
Rijiju, who was once previously the union sports activities minister, Telangana minister Ok T Rama Rao, Azharuddin and Yuvraj have been some of the visitors provide on the venue.
Hyderabad: Tennis megastar Sania Mirza all the way through her farewell on the Lal Bahadur Stadium, in Hyderabad, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Sania introduced her retirement from skilled tennis previous 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 fit. I’m overjoyed to peer such a lot of other people turning up for this. Sania Mirza is an inspiration no longer only for Indian tennis however for India sports activities too,” mentioned Rijiju.
“When I used to be the sports activities minister I was contact with Sania. I want her all of the easiest for her long run endeavours.” Her members of the family and pals have been additionally provide on the venue.
After the fit, Sania was once felicitated by way of Rama Rao and Telangana sports activities minister V Srinivas Goud.
“The best honour for me has been to play for my nation for two decades. It’s each and every athlete’s dream to constitute their nation on the best stage. I used to be ready to try this,” Sania, who thanked everybody for supporting her in her adventure, mentioned.
As lovers cheered her, Sania grew to become emotional.
“Those are very, more than pleased tears. I may just no longer have requested for a greater send-off,” she mentioned.
Although she can have retired, she’s going to be a part of tennis and sports activities in India and in Telangana, she mentioned.
She was hoping that “many, many Sanias” would emerge within the nation.
Azharuddin, whose son is married to Sania’s more youthful sister Anam, praised her contribution to tennis.
“I believe nowadays we’re giving a really perfect farewell to Sania. What she has carried out for tennis for ladies in India and everywhere the arena, I believe, it’s an instance. I want her all of the perfect,” Azharuddin informed newshounds.
“I do know other people would need her to proceed to play extra. However each and every occupation has to finish. I believe she has taken the precise choice,” he mentioned.
A number of lovers mentioned they really feel unhappy over Sania retiring from skilled tennis.