Melbourne ∙ ‘I might cry. But it’s because of happiness’ – Sania Mirza’s words after her defeat in the Australian Open mixed doubles final were returned by the gallery with a standing ovation equal to a winner. At the age of 36, India’s tennis queen, who stormed to the finals in her last Grand Slam championship, had an emotional farewell in Melbourne.
Joining Sania in the final battle was Rohan Bopanna, six years her senior, who was her first partner in professional tennis years ago. The Rod Laver Arena witnessed heartwarming moments as the winning Brazilian duo of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos left the court for Sania’s farewell after the match. Sania scooped up her four-and-a-half-year-old son, Ishaan, and kissed him as she jumped into the court.
‘I never thought I would be able to play a Grand Slam final in front of my mom..! Sania’s parents, Bopanna’s wife and daughter were in the gallery to watch the match.
I remember playing a singles third round match against Serena Williams here in 2005. I was 18 years old then. I have come here many times since then. Won titles. I can’t think of a better venue to say goodbye to the Grand Slams.
Sania Mirza
Sania and Bopanna gave up after fighting to a tiebreaker in the first set against the Brazilian duo, who were a decade younger than them. The Brazilian team won the second set easily. Match score: 7–6, 6–2. This was Sania’s last Grand Slam tournament as she announced her retirement from professional tennis with the Dubai Open next month. Sania has won 3 mixed doubles and women’s doubles titles each in Grand Slam tennis. The first title was in Melbourne in 2009 with Mahesh Bhupathi.
English Summary : Sania-Bopanna lose in Aus Open mixed doubles final
