MELBOURNE: India’s Sania Mirza fought back the tears as she spoke on the Rod Laver Arena for the last time after she lost the Mixed Doubles final at the Australian Open on Friday.
“If I cry – these are happy tears, not sad ones,” she said.
It was not meant to be for her and compatriot Rohan Bopanna, who were defeated 6-7 (2), 2-6 in the summit clash in Melbourne by Brazilians Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.
Even though she was unable to lift the trophy, the stage – one of the most iconic courts in the history of tennis – was fitting for her farewell.
Sania is one of the most successful players at this stage in India’s history, with six titles.
She won the Australian Open twice before, once in mixed doubles in 2009 alongside Mahesh Bhupathi, and then again in women’s doubles alongside Martina Hingis in 2016 – her last Major title.
She is due to retire from all tennis after a tournament next month in Dubai, where she has lived for more than a decade and recently launched a tennis academy.
