— Boria Majumdar
She has just played a Grand Slam final. And yet in a month’s time we will not see Sania Mirza on court again. Two more tournaments and she will stop. 18 years of excellence will come to an end. How has the journey been? How did she do what she did? How can she keep doing things which are near unthinkable? How has it been to play a grand slam final with Izhaan in the stands? Here is Sania Mirza in a no holds barred conversation with Boria Majumdar.
Boria- You are a sort of revolution in yourself. A young 6 year old girl from a city which had no tradition whatsoever in tennis to make it to the top 30 of the world in singles and the number 1 ranking in doubles is no less than a fairytale. And now add the Australian open mixed doubles runner up title in your last Slam. How do you look back at things?
Sania- Hey Boria please don’t make me feel old please! I am not. But on a serious note it has been a fantastic journey. If someone said to me when I started out that I will one day win Wimbledon, US Open, French and the Australian I would have laughed it off. To win 41 straight matches on the doubles tour and be the number one player in the world is a testimony to the hard work that my family, my team and I have put in. My thanks to all my fans and supporters for what they have done for me. To win trophies for India is always special and if you ask me to name that one trophy or medal that stands out I will have to say the 2010 Asian Games medal. It was for my country and more than any Grand Slam title I value that silver medal a lot. To play with young Vishnu Vardhan and win the silver was an achievement I am very proud of even today. And this Australian Open was very special and you know me well enough to agree that I am the last one to cry. That’s not me. The last time I did was off camera next to the swimming pool after the 2010 Asian Games loss. You were there with me and you know it. But this time I just couldn’t control myself. That too while making a speech. It was not because I lost the match. It was because I knew I wouldn’t step on court ever again in a Grand Slam. I will miss the energy. The crowds. For 18 years it has been a part of me. That’s what made me emotional and I couldn’t control tears. And that’s why I said sorry later!
Boria- Fantastic to hear you say what you just said- India first. With you that’s always been the case. You have a staggering number of medals for India in multi discipline competitions, perhaps the most for any tennis player. Describe to me the pride you felt seeing the tri colour go up?
Sania- That’s the proudest moment for any athlete. To see the Indian flag go up and feel you have contributed to the flag going up. You feel fulfilled as a sportsperson. I must tell you it has been an absolute honour to play for the tri colour. To do things for India and make a small difference. To play for you guys who have been with me all my life. To know that the national anthem is being played for you and you are the one responsible is an unmatched feeling you know. Like I have told you before if anyone said this to a 6 year old in Hyderabad growing up that 30 years later this is what you will leave behind I’d never have believed it. It has been a very satisfying journey and as I said an honour and privilege to play for the tri colour.
Boria- Tell me a little bit more about the Australian Open run. Was fantastic to see you and Rohan enjoy on court and it seemed your son and his daughter made it that much more special. In fact, when Izhaan ran out to you on court it was the most pleasing sight for us all. As a parent one could actually feel the emotion.
Sania- When Izhaan ran out and was on court it was the best feeling you know. It was not for me. It was for every mother that you can continue to chase your dreams and can fulfil them as well. Having a child doesn’t mean you need to give up. Your life isn’t over. And that’s what the moment with Izhaan conveyed. The messages I have received since and they are in thousands convey this. A lot of mothers have written to me they felt they can get back to work seeing me with Izhaan on court. Far more than playing tennis matches and hitting tennis balls, this is what is more important to me. Even if one of them resume what they love doing you feel satisfied. We are privileged to be in this position and it is very important we make a difference. Try and make the world a slightly better place. And coming to Rohan’s daughter and Izhaan they were competing with each other in trying to scream louder. At times they were so loud I had to literally give them a stare saying a little less please! (laughs).
Boria- Finally, why stop now. You are playing a Grand Slam final so clearly you have the level and the game. You can still compete at this level. And yet you want to stop.
Sania- You know me for years to know for me it is about people telling me why are you stopping rather than when are you stopping. Absolutely I have the game and I can still win tennis matches at the highest level. That’s not the point. But what goes in behind staying at this level and to compete at this level is an issue. Physically, mentally and emotionally I am no longer capable of handling this. The process is the issue. In Melbourne I would spend hours with the physio to be able to go out and compete. What goes in behind your ability to compete is something I can no longer deal with. And I am not one to compete when I know I can no longer do it. When I was pregnant I was a top 10 player. People said I was mad to stop at the time and take a break. But you know there is never a right time. I felt it was the right time. I took a break. But never did I say I will retire. That’s because deep down I knew I had tennis left in me. Now its different. Now like I said to you I can no longer deal with the process. As a result I think it is time to stop. But then I still have two tournaments left. And I am playing with Bethanie and Madison Keys. They are two of my best friends on tour and I will do all I can to win. That competitive me is till very much there and will be there till I play my last match.