Sania Mirza: It’s truly special for me

Trailblazing Indian tennis star Sania Mirza capped off her glorious Grand Slam career with a runnersup finish alongside lsquobest friendrsquo Rohan Bopanna in the Australian Open mixed doubles final here on Friday Pairing up with her firstever mixed doubles partner Bopanna the unseeded Indian duo went down 672 26 to the Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Mataos in the final at the Rod Laver ArenaTears of joy disclaimerldquoIf I cry these are happy tears Thatrsquos just a disclaimer Irsquom still going to play a couple of more tournaments but my journey of my professional career started in Melbournerdquo an emotional Sania said as she struggled to hold back tearsSania Mirza Instagrammed this picture with son IzhaanldquoRohan was my firstever mixed doubles partner when I was 14 and we won the nationals it was 22 years ago and I couldnrsquot think of a better person hersquos my best friend and one of my best partners to finish my careerrdquo Sania said thanking Bopanna who has one French Open mixed doubles title to his creditldquoIt started in 2005 when I played Serena Williams in the third round as an 18yearold and that was scarily enough 18 years ago I have had the privilege to come back here again and again win some tournaments here and play some great finals amongst you all Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life and I couldnrsquot think of a better arena to finish my career at in a Grand Slamrdquo Sania said The presence of her son Izhaan alongside family and friends made the occasion sweeterldquoI never thought Irsquod be able to play in front of my child in a Grand Slam final so itrsquos truly special for me to have my fouryearold here and my parents here and Rohanrsquos wife my trainers my family in Australia who made me feel like home away from home Cara Black who is my best friend and one of my first partners itrsquos been truly special I wouldnrsquot be able to achieve anything without you allrdquo Sania saidRohan BopannaThe 36yearold who earlier announced that the WTA event in Dubai next month will be her swansong is Indiarsquos most accomplished woman tennis player having won six Grand Slam titles including three mixed doubles trophies She had won the mixed doubles titles at the 2009 Australian Open and the 2012 French Open with Mahesh Bhupathi and the 2014 US Open with Brazilian Bruno SoaresAlso Read Theres a lot of nerves playing my last Slam says Sania Mirza after emotional mixed doubles final runHappy hunting groundThe Rod Laver Arena has been a happy hunting ground for the Hyderabadi She has a womenrsquos doubles and mixed doubles title each and has finished runner up four times at the Australian Open The Indians were on the back foot from the beginning as they were broken in the very first game and were down 02 The Indians let the Brazilians dominate them in the second set as Sania failed to hold serve in the fourth and eighth game to concede the fixtureTweet talkSachin Tendulkarsachin_rtldquoMany congratulations on a glorious career at the Grand Slam MirzaSania You have inspired a whole generation of tennis talent in India amp beyond Wishing you the best of everything in life You have made India flag proud Well playedrdquoAbhinav BindraAbhinav_BindraldquoCongratulations MirzaSania on a wonderful career Thank you for your service to Indian sport and for inspiring millions of girls to take up sportrdquoWaqar Youniswaqyounis99ldquoWhat words come to mind when one think of Sania For me itrsquos PassionPerseverance and sheer Hard Work Congratulations MirzaSania on an outstanding career and all the Best in your second inningsrdquoSmriti Mandhanamandhana_smritildquoAn inspiration for many to pick up a sport and champion it Sania Mirza what a career Go wellrdquoMithali RajM_Raj03ldquoCongratulations on an amazing career MirzaSania Yoursquove given your everything to tennis and to womenrsquos sports Itrsquos an iconic legacy indeed It was always a pleasure to watch you play amp watch you become the champion that you are Best wishes for your future endeavoursrdquoShreyas IyerShreyasIyer15ldquoCongratulations MirzaSania What a wonderful career at the very top of the sport A sporting iconrdquoAnil KapoorAnilKapoorldquoCongratulations MirzaSania on an amazing journey that has left a mark in history and inspired millions of athletes and thank you for always making India so proud Wishing you good luck for your next adventurerdquoKiren RijijuKirenRijijuldquoCongratulations to MirzaSania rohanbopanna on winning the Australian Open Mixed Doubles Runners up Trophy Sania your last match in the Australian Open is memorable and thank you for raising the Indian flag for such a long timerdquo