Tennis legend Sania Mirza confirms retirement: 'This is a beginning of different memories'

Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza penned a heartfelt te on social media on January 13 to confirm her retirement, stating that Dubai Open next month would be last tournament she would compete in. In her emotional post, 36-year-old also explained how winning medals for India and seeing tri-colour fly high has been biggest hour in her career.

'This isn't end but a beginning of different memories': Mirza

Taking to her social media handles, Sania Mirza wrote an emotional post, where she explained how her journey in tennis began and how it is w ending with some of best of memories. "Thirty (yes, 30!) years ago a 6-year-old girl from Nasr School in Hyderab, walked onto a tennis court at Nizam Club with her young mom and fought coach to let her learn how to play tennis as he thought that she was too little. fight for our dreams began at 6," wrote Mirza.

She n explained how she mand to succeed in sport despite all odds being stacked against her. "With a lot of hope despite all odds stacked against us, we dared to dream of playing in a Grand Slam someday and of representing our country with hour at highest level in sport. As I look back at my career w, t only did I get to play well over half a century of Grand Slam tournaments but I was fortunate eugh to win a bunch of m, too, with God’s grace," ded 36-year-old.

Mirza also went on to d how winning a medal for India h been her greatest hour. "To win medals for my country has been my biggest hour and I feel truly humbled to have been able to stand up on podium. kwing that tricolour h been raised high to be seen and respected by millions all over world all because of something that I was privileged eugh to achieve. I have tears in my eyes and goosebumps even as I this," ded Indian tennis legend's post.

Sania ended her post by explaining how it was only fitting for her to play her last Grand Slam at Australian Open. "My Grand Slam journey started with Australian Open back in 2005. So it goes without saying that this would be most perfect Grand Slam to end my career with. As I get rey to play my last Australian Open 18 years after I played my first, and n Dubai Open in Feb, I have so many emotions flashing through me with pride and gratitude, perhaps, being foremost," wrote Mirza.