Guwahati: Veteran India tennis star Sania Mirza on Wednesday (January 19) said that she will retire after 2022 season.
Mirza (35) made the retirement announcement after her loss in the first round of women’s doubles at the Australian Open 2022 on Wednesday (January 19).
Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok lost 4-6, 6-7(5) to Slovenian team of Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan in one hour and 37 minutes.
“I have decided this will be my last season. I am taking it week by week, not sure if I can last the season, but I want too,” Mirza said in the post match press conference.
“There’s a bunch reasons for it. It’s not as simple as ‘okay I’m not going to play’. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I do feel, considering my son is three years old, I’m putting him at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account,” she added.
“My body is wearing down. My knee was really hurting today and I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I’m getting older,” she further added.
Mirza who started playing the professional tour since 2003, is a former world No. 1 in doubles and has won six Grand Slam titles in her career.
(With ANI inputs)
