Sania Mirza is a trailblazer in Indian sports, celebrated as one of the most successful and influential tennis players in the country. Born on November 15, 1986, in Mumbai and raised in Hyderabad, she began her professional tennis journey in 2003. Known for her powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play, Sania made history as the first Indian woman to win a WTA title, achieving this milestone in 2005 at the Hyderabad Open.
Over her illustrious career, Sania has won six Grand Slam titles across doubles and mixed doubles, including the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. Her partnership with Martina Hingis in women’s doubles brought her global recognition, with the duo winning multiple titles and dominating the circuit as the World No. 1 pair in 2015-2016 Sania herself held the World No. 1 ranking in doubles for an impressive 91 weeks, cementing her legacy as a doubles specialist.
Off the court, Sania has been a cultural icon, breaking barriers for women in sports in India and serving as a source of inspiration for countless young athletes. She has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards, India’s highest sporting honor. Sania is also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia and an advocate for gender equality.
In January 2023, she retired from professional tennis, marking the end of an era while continuing her journey as a mentor and role model for the next generation of athletes.
