By India Blooms News Service Mar 06, 2023
Hyderabad: Hyderabad witnessed an emotional Tennis match on Sunday when Indian icon Sania Mirza played her last competitive clashes, bidding adieu to an electrifying career that marked her reaching the number one position in the doubles category of the game, here.
Notably Sa,nia hails from Hyderabad where she started her tennis journey over two decades ago.
The event saw the legend play a series of friendly matches with renowned tennis stars like Rohan Bopanna, Ivan Dodig, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Cara Black, Marion Bartoli.
The exhibition matches were attended by her family, dignitaries from the State Government, prominent personalities such as Telangana Ministers KT Ramarao, Srinivas Goud, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Azharuddin,students of Sania Mirza Tennis Academy and among others.
Sania Mirzas last match was a fitting tribute to her incredible career.
It was filled with entertainment, excitement, and nostalgia as fans bid farewell to one of Indias greatest tennis players.
An emotional Sania Mirza shared, I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined in my career, and I am grateful for every moment on the court.
I have always wanted to play and express my gratitude by playing my last match in front of my home crowd in Hyderabad, and Im so thankful to the Government of Telangana for making this happen, she said.
Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao said, In a country like India which was erstwhile known to be a male-dominated sporting society, Sania Mirza led the journey and paved the path for women across sports.
She is an invincible force and inspiration to all the young girls of the country who aspire to make a career in sports and represent the nation, he said.
Telangana Sports Minister Srinivas Goud, said, I extend my warmest wishes to Sania Mirza to set foot in the next phase of her life and congratulate her on her splendid career. Her contribution to the Indian sports has been exemplary and she has been a torchbearer in the truest sense.
Sania has set a strong foundation for women in sports and will be a visual treat for the crowds of Hyderabad to see her in action in her last match. Im happy to be part of this momentous occasion and we will ensure that the event is a fitting tribute to her accomplished career, he added.
(With UNI inputs)