Sania Mirza is calling time on her career when the season ends, as per TNN. She announced it after her first-round defeat in women's doubles at the Australian Open. She along with Nadiia Kichenok lost 4-6, 6-7 against Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan.?
"There are a few reasons for it. It's not as simple as 'okay I'm not going to play'. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I'm putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that's something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down. My knee was really hurting today and I'm not saying that's the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I'm getting older," she said.?
"Also for me to find that motivation every day to come out. The energy is not the same anymore. There are more days than there used to be where I don't feel like doing that. I've always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I'm not sure I'm enjoying as much anymore," she added.
"I was very sure that this was going to be my last season when I started the year or even in December. Just the way my body is playing, I don't think I can finish the season. I want to play the full season, I'm still 50-60 in the world, I played nine tournaments last year. I do think I have the level to play, it's not about that. As an athlete, I think I can go deep into tournaments," she went on to say.?
Her current rank is 68. Sania is a former World No. 1 in doubles and her best rank was 27 in singles. Sania's last Grand Slam win was the 2016 Australian Open with Martina Hingis.?