It was a memorable comeback to tennis for Sania Mirza as she won the Hobart International title in Australia on Saturday (January 18). She was away from the game for two years
Hobart: India's tennis star Sania Mirza made a winning comeback as she won the women's doubles title at the Hobart International tournament on Saturday (January 18). Overall, this was Sania's 42nd title in her illustrious career. The last trophy before today had come in January 2017, in Brisbane.
The 33-year-old Sania and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok defeated second seeded Chinese pair of Zhang Shuai and Peng Shuai in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Also read: When Sania Mirza was asked to stop playing tennis
This has been an amazing comeback by Sania to tennis courts. She had been away from action for two years due to injury and later gave birth to her son Izhaan.
It was Kichenok and Mirza’s first win as a doubles pair and ’s first tournament back since leaving the sport in 2017 --> https://t.co/zSxgrN0Z8o pic.twitter.com/4YBlSsQozG
— WTA (@WTA)The last tournament before Hobart was China Open in October 2017. Sania was world number one in women's doubles. She is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
After her semi-final win in Hobart, she had said, "It feels amazing, especially to me, for someone who’s not played for so long."
Straight sets win 🤩
Nadiia Kichenok and are your Doubles Champions after defeating Peng/Zhang, 6-4, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/5rzrRbWcJp
"I’m really excited to be in the final with Nadiia. I think today we weren’t playing our best, but we still came through," she added.
The Hyderabad player said her son inspires her. "Obviously, I think my son really inspires me to be here. As a woman, with such great athletes being mothers and coming back, I just feel that women can really have it all, and I hope this inspires a few women out there, especially in my side of the world."
After winning her first match on return, in Hobart, she had written on her Instagram account, “Today was one of the most special days of my life .. to have my parents and my little baby boy supporting me in my first match after a little less than 2 and a half years .. and to top it off we even WON our first round with my partner @nadiakichenok feel very grateful and thankful for all the msgs, support and love I am receiving.. BELIEF!! Takes you places YES my baby boy we did it @izhaan.mirzamalik Allhamdulillah for everything (sic)”.
Today was one of the most special days of my life .. to have my parents and my little baby boy supporting me in my first match after a little less than 2 and a half years .. and to top it off we even WON our first… https://t.co/VWpUC7IkSn
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania)Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.