Six-time Grand Slam winner: doubles specialist Sania Mirza will stop in 2022
Indian doubles specialist Sania Mirza wants to end her career in 2022. The 35-year-old has won a total of six Grand Slam titles in her career in women's and mixed doubles.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 19, 2022, 04:28 pm
Probably the last Australian Open by Sania Mirza, they came to an abrupt end. Already in round one the doubles specialist had to admit defeat to the Slovenian duo Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek in two sets alongside the Ukrainian Nadija Kitschenok. Immediately afterwards it was clear: This could have been the Indian woman's last appearance at the "Happy Slam" Down Under.
At the place where the 35-year-old first caused a sensation at major level 13 years ago - and won the title in mixed doubles alongside compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi. Five more major titles were to follow for Sania Mirza, and the Indian was successful three times each in mixed and women's doubles on the biggest tennis stage.
Body and son are decisive for Mirza
"There are many reasons why I made this decision. I feel my recovery is taking longer than expected and I am putting my three-year-old son at risk by traveling so much with him. That's why I made this decision." , Mirza explained after the first-round loss in Australia. "I think my body is wearing out and I end the games with a lot of complaints. Also, the energy I used to have isn't the same anymore."
In 2022, an extremely successful double career will come to an end, the most successful in Indian women's tennis. During her career, Mirza was able to win 43 titles on the WTA tour, and the 35-year-old was also successful once in singles. In total, the Indian spent 91 weeks at the top of the WTA world rankings. Currently, however, Sania Mirza can only be found in 68th place. The last Grand Slam title (Australian Open 2016, alongside Martina Hingis) was six years ago.
Here is the women's individual tableau
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