Sania Mirza has said that the 2022 season will be her last as a tennis professional, bringing to an end a sensational career for one of India's greatest tennis players.
The 35-year-old lost in the first round of the women's doubles at the Australian Open and told the media that she will be calling time on her career.
“I feel my recovery is taking longer and I am putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him,” she said. “I think my body is wearing down. My knee was really hurting today.”
“Also for me to find that motivation every day to come out. The energy is not the same anymore.”
“ I've worked very hard to come back, get fit, lose the weight and try to set a good example for mothers, new mothers to follow their dreams as much as they can. Beyond this season, I don't feel my body doing it.”
Mirza has spent a large part of the last few years on the sidelines. After the birth of her son in October 2018, she made a comeback in 2020.
But injuries and a Covid infection kept her out for several months.
“I have a bit of a meniscus issue going on my right knee, woke up with wrist pain couple of days ago. At 35, I am waking up with couple of things that I don't know where they're coming from! I want to finish the season, to at least play until US Open, that is my goal. But I still have to take it week-to-week,” she said.
Sania is a former doubles world number one and has won six Grand Slams in doubles. She made her debut in 2003 and this is her 14th Australian Open.
She will be in action in the mixed doubles event, playing alongside US player Rajeev Ram.