With “comfortable tears”, Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza on Sunday ended her path-breaking journey as a participant to the place the place all of it started. By enjoying in exhibition matches that includes Rohan Bopanna, Yuvraj Singh and her ‘greatest pal’ Bethanie Mettek Sands, Sania lastly stated goodbye to her illustrious profession on the Lal Bahadur Tennis Stadium, the venue the place she signaled her arrival on the massive stage with a historic WTA singles title triumph almost twenty years in the past.

The exhibition video games have been watched by eminent personalities, together with union legislation minister Kiren Rijiju and former India cricket workforce captain Mohammed Azharuddin.

Having arrived on the venue in a swanky purple automotive, the 36-year-old Sania was greeted by cheering followers that additionally included outstanding personalities.

Sania, who turned emotional whereas giving her farewell speech, stated the best honor for her has been to play for the nation for 20 years.

On the event, the six-time Grand Slam winner (three in girls’s doubles and as many in blended doubles) performed two blended doubles exhibition matches and gained each of them.

The venue, the place she had gained some memorable titles, placed on a festive look with banners like ‘Celebrating the Legacy of Sania Mirza’.

Some followers held placards that learn ‘thanks for the recollections’ and ‘we are going to miss you, Sania’.

Spectators, largely college kids, cheered her as she entered the courtroom.

“I’m so excited to play my final match in entrance of you all,” she stated, talking forward of the match.

Rijiju, who was previously the union sports activities minister, Telangana minister KT Rama Rao, Azharuddin and Yuvraj have been among the many company current on the venue.

“I’ve come to Hyderabad for Sania Mirza’s send-off, her farewell match. I’m delighted to see so many individuals turning up for this. Sania Mirza is an inspiration not only for Indian tennis however for Indian sports activities too,” stated Rijiju.

“After I was the sports activities minister I was in contact with Sania. I wanted her all the easiest for her future delights.” Her members of the family and mates have been additionally current on the venue.

After the match, Sania was felicitated by Rama Rao and Telangana sports activities minister V Srinivas Goud.

“The best honor for me has been to play for my nation for 20 years. It’s each athlete’s dream to signify their nation on the highest stage. I used to be ready to try this,” Sania, who thanked everybody for supporting her in her journey , stated.

As her followers cheered, Sania turned emotional.

“These are very, very comfortable tears. I couldn’t have requested for a greater send-off,” she stated.

Though she might have retired, she goes to be a part of tennis and sports activities in India and in Telangana, she stated.

She hoped that “many, many Sanias” would emerge within the nation.

Azharuddin, whose son is married to Sania’s youthful sister Anam, praised her contribution to tennis.

“I believe at this time we’re giving an ideal farewell to Sania. What she has executed for tennis for ladies in India and all around the world, I believe, that is an instance. I want her all the most effective,” Azharuddin advised reporters.

“I do know individuals would need her to proceed to play extra. However each profession has to finish. I believe she has made the suitable determination,” he stated.

A number of followers stated they felt unhappy over Sania’s retirement from skilled tennis.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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