Sania Mirza, an Indian tennis player, finished second with Rohan Bopanna in the Australian Open mixed doubles final on Friday, capping off an illustrious Grand Slam career. The Brazilian team of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Mataos defeated the unseeded Indian team 6-7(2) 2-6 in the championship match at the Rod Laver Arena. Her husband, the seasoned Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik, rushed to Twitter following Sania’s final Grand Slam match and wrote a touching message for the 36-year-old.
Sania received congratulations from Malik for her impressive career, and he added, “You’re an inspiration for many.”
– You are the much needed hope for all the women in sports. Super proud of you for all you have achieved in your career. You're an inspiration for many, keep going strong. Many congratulations on an unbelievable career… pic.twitter.com/N6ziDeUGmV
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) January 27, 2023
The most accomplished female tennis player from India is Sania, who previously declared that the WTA tournament in Dubai next month will be her final match. Sania has won six Grand Slam titles, including three in mixed doubles.
In 2009 at the Australian Open, in 2012 at the French Open, with Mahesh Bhupathi, and in 2014 at the US Open with Bruno Soares of Brazil, she has won the mixed doubles championship.
For the Hyderabadi, the Rod Laver Arena has been a joyful hunting ground. She has won the women’s doubles and mixed doubles championships separately, and she has placed second at the Australian Open four times.
“It began in 2005, which is a startling 18 years ago, when I faced Serena Williams in the third round of a tournament. I’ve had the honour of returning here frequently, competing in some tournament victories here, and competing against all of you in some memorable finals.
In her own words, Sania, “Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life and I could not imagine of a finer arena to complete my career at in a Grand Slam.”
