Q/What prompted you to decide on retirement now? Just the challenges posed by Covid -19 or something more?
A/The challenges of international travel during the pandemic are real, but that is not the only reason. After two decades of professional tennis, my body is battered and takes longer to recover on a daily basis on the circuit. Also, I feel that it is unfair to subject my son, Izhaan, to the constant risks of being infected, while he accompanies me for tournaments.
Q/What was your family’s reaction to your decision to retire at the end of the season?
A/We have been talking about my retirement for the last few months, though I never told them that I would announce it at the Australian Open press conference. My family was supportive about my decision, just as they have been overwhelmingly supportive of my tennis career.
Q/How would you describe your career? Did you think you would play tennis for so long? And, do you feel you have achieved your goals?
A/I think I am very fortunate to have achieved way beyond my dreams in my tennis career. I feel absolutely fulfilled with my career, and if 20 years ago someone had said that I would achieve all that I have managed to do, then I would have taken that with both hands.
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Q/Why did you later say that you should not have announced your retirement so soon?
A/I said this when I saw that my fans and some journalists were feeling sad that I was going to retire at the end of the season. I was only being asked about my retirement. I feel that I still have a full season to play, provided my body holds up.
Q/What was the most challenging moment in your career and life?
A/Of course, there were numerous challenges along the way and, as Tony Roche once told me, “As a pioneer of the sport in a country, one has to pay the price for it”. But I love overcoming obstacles and my passion for the game of tennis helped me overcome all challenges. Perhaps, the biggest challenge was to prove to the world and to my own countrymen that Indian women could achieve success in the international sphere even in professions that were not considered their forte.
Q/The most memorable high point in your career.
A/It is difficult to pick out just one memorable high point. But winning 14 medals for my country, achieving a ranking of No 1 (doubles) in the world, winning Wimbledon in 2015 (women’s doubles with Martina Hingis), beating Grand Slam champions like Martina Hingis, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Marion Bartoli and Victoria Azarenka in singles would rank high among my memorable and sweetest moments.
Q/Do you think you have achieved all that you wanted to as a singles player?
A/Not many [thought] that I could break into the top 100 in singles and become the first Indian woman to do so. But I went on to be ranked as high as 27 in the world and only two men from India [Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan] have achieved a better ranking than that even among male players. I feel that if injuries had not taken a toll on my body and if I had not undergone three major surgeries on both my knees and my right wrist, I may have been able to break into the top 15 of the world. But I am more than happy with what I was able to achieve.
Q/Which particular match or medal that you won for the country is closest to your heart?
A/Every time I have won a medal for my country, it has given me a great high. It is difficult for me to pick out any particular match. However, I think beating Li Na at the Asian Games in Doha (2006) was very satisfying.
Q/Your husband, Shoaib Malik, is a highly accomplished cricketer. What did he say when you called it a day? How has he helped you in your journey as an athlete?
A/He was a little surprised when I announced it, even though we had been talking about it [happening] in the near future. As a professional sportsman, he understands the highs and lows and has always been a pillar of strength for me. But, yes, our schedules are very hectic and that has not made life easy for us.
Q/How have friends, contemporaries and seniors reacted to your decision?
A/I have made so many friends on the circuit over the years, and naturally those who are close to me have said they will miss me on tour. I will miss them, too!
Q/Whom did you best enjoy playing with or against in singles, doubles and mixed doubles?
A/I will have to go with those who I have had the best results with: Martina Hingis (in women’s doubles) and Mahesh Bhupathi (in mixed doubles).
Q/How difficult or easy will it be to focus on the remaining competitions this year after announcing retirement? Any particular tournament you are aiming for in your last year on tour?
A/A year on the tennis circuit is a very long time and I will try to give my best, as I have always done, in every match that I play until I am done with playing. I think I have reached a stage in my career where I will not be judged by any one match or tournament.
Q/What’s next after retirement?
A/I have some plans, but they are not concrete as of now. You will come to know in due course of time.
Q/How did you explain your decision to retire from tennis to your son?
A/I don’t think he needs to know as yet.