HYDERABAD (RAHNUMA) Sania Mirza, one of India’s most successful tennis players ever, is set to retire from her professional career of over 20 years with an exhibition match in her hometown of Hyderabad on March 5th, 2023. Sania is an inspiration to millions of budding athletes and an icon of camaraderie for the global sports fraternity.
Before the exhibition match, Sania and Bethanie Mattek-Sands paid a visit to the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy (SMTA), which will take center focus for Sania as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. She hopes that the academy will nurture and inspire the next generation of Indian talent.
The exhibition match, called Game Set Celebrate!, will bring the curtain down on Sania’s career at the very place it all began- Hyderabad. Grand Slam Champions like Rohan Bopanna, Ivan Dodig, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Cara Black, Marion Bartoli, and Sania Mirza herself will take part in the exhibition match. It will be held at the LB Tennis Stadium in Hyderabad on March 5th at 10 AM. Tickets are live and available on PAYTM Insider.
Sania shared her emotions about retiring from the sport she loves. “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. To come full circle at the place it all began has been a personal fairy tale. I hope that my journey and experience can encourage and inspire athletes globally to chase their dreams and work hard to achieve their goals. I am excited and look forward to entering the next phase of my life, sharing my understanding & knowledge of the sport with the hope to nurture the next generation of athletes and continuing to be a role model for Indian women.”
Sania’s journey in the tennis world has been an inspiration for millions of people in India and around the world. She has won numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including six Grand Slam titles, and has represented India in the Olympics multiple times. She has been a trailblazer for Indian women in sports and has inspired many young athletes to chase their dreams.
Sania’s farewell exhibition match is a fitting tribute to her illustrious career, and it will be a bittersweet moment for her fans and supporters around the world. As Sania begins a new chapter in her life, we can be sure that she will continue to inspire and encourage young athletes to follow in her footsteps and achieve greatness in their chosen fields.
