Sania Mirza Retirement: Dubai Duty Free Championship – Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza has set her reitrement. After making a U-turn on her decision last year, the former doubles No.1 will play for the final time in Dubai next month. The 36-year-old will be in action at the Australian Open, before heading to the Middle East. Follow Sania Mirza Retirement updates LIVE on Insidesport.IN
Sania Mirza Retirement: Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza sets Retirement date, 36-year-old to quit after Dubai Duty Free Championships next month- Check out
A six-time major champion — three in doubles and three in mixed doubles — Mirza has signed up to compete in this month’s Australian Open alongside Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina.
Mirza, 36, who has been living in Dubai for more than a decade, will then look to bid farewell to the sport in the Emirates, where she has competed for many years in front of her massive fanbase.
“I was going to stop right after the WTA Finals, because we were going to make the WTA Finals, but I tore my tendon in my elbow right before US Open so I had to pull out of everything,” Mirza told wtatennis.com last month in Dubai.
“And honestly, the person that I am, I like to do things on my own terms. So I don’t want to be forced out by injury. So I’ve been training.”
Sania Mirza Retirement: Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza sets Retirement date, 36-year-old to quit after Dubai Duty Free Championships next month- Check out
Mirza has been dealing with a lingering calf problem but is hoping it won’t stop her from saying her goodbyes on the match court.
“The plan is to try and retire in Dubai during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” she said.
In a recent interview with “Curly Tales Middle East,” Mirza explained why she believed now was the right time.
“I’m 36, and honestly my body is beat, that is the main reason for it,” Mirza said. “And I really don’t have the capacity in my mind to emotionally push that much anymore. I turned pro in 2003. Priorities change, and now my priority is not to push my body to the limit every single day.”
