Fresh from two tennis Grand Slam victories and top ranking as a women’s doubles player in the world, Sania Mirza was all grace and poise here on Tuesday.
As she spoke about her career and the way forward at an event hosted by Sun Pharma, for whom she serves as brand ambassador, she thanked her family and her well wishers for all that she had achieved and said with pride, “My hard work over the past 23 years and sacrifices made by my family for me, have paid off.”
Crowned No.1 after a series of good performances this year, Sania said, “It is an emotional movement but has come after a lot of hard work. Only my family and I know how this has come through.”
“I have been in Hyderabad for barely five days in the last five months as I have been travelling all over the world to take part in various events. The year gone by has been extremely satisfying but a sportsperson expects to continue in the same vein and I would like to win few more titles,” she says.
Hingis partnership Teaming up with Martina Hingis, the on-court understanding has been a great winner for the two as they pulled of two Grand Slams – Wimbledon and US Open. “Somehow, we manage to complement each other well and are formidable for opponents,” she said with a smile.
“While I am fortunate to have achieved a number of firsts in my career, becoming the world No.1 has been extra special.” For someone who took to tennis at the young age of six, it has been long and exciting journey both on the filed and off the field.
She has also been chosen brand ambassador of Telangana and serves as an ambassador for India when she represents the country. Sania thanked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for the honour.
Sania had a glorious 2014 when she won three WTA doubles titles, the US Open Mixed doubles and repeated her success this year with two more Grand Slam titles and getting crowned as No.1.
What about next year? Sania said, “It won’t be long before I go to take part in the Australian Open and look forward to giving my best. I hope I don’t do anything different. We have not lost a match since August. Have been crowned No.1 and have bagged two Grand Slam titles. Hope to repeat the performance.”