Sania Mirza a trailblazer on and off the court

Indian tennis ace speaks about resilience, self-belief, and empowering young athletes

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6 MIN READ
Sania Mirza at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
Sania Mirza at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
Mahmoud Khaled

From smashing barriers in Indian tennis to championing gender equality, Sania Mirza continues to inspire generations. At the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, she spoke to Friday magazine about resilience, self-belief, and empowering young athletes

Dressed in a smart black jacket, and a pair of stylish black trousers with a brilliantly sparkling spray of flowers running up one leg, Sania Mirza is a picture of confidence as she addressed the packed auditorium at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival held in February.

“It was a dream I had as a little girl, to reach the pinnacle of tennis,” she says. “It was a dream that I never once gave up on.”

Starting to play tennis as a six-year-old, Sania went on to make her debut on the ITF Circuit when she was 15 and won her first three titles before turning 16. A semi-finalist at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Sania’s major achievements have arguably come in doubles where her partnership with Martina Hingis was particularly remarkable. Their spectacular on-court chemistry, marked by celebratory high-fives, captivated not just Swiss and Indian fans but tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

With 43 WTA doubles titles and one singles title, Sania Mirza stands as India’s most successful women’s tennis player in history. Celebrated globally for her achievements and influence, in 2005, Time magazine named her one of the “50 Heroes of Asia,” and a year later included her in Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In a country where cricket rules supreme among games, Sania, who was born in Mumbai and moved to Hyderabad in southern India when very young, not only rose to become an icon on the tennis court but was also ranked the No. 1 Indian in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association by the time she retired from singles in 2013.

“To become world number one was something I couldn’t have imagined back then. It was an honour and a privilege,” she says.

The 38-year-old mother of one smiles as she pauses to acknowledge the deafening applause from the crowd. “Being the first to do something is always the hardest,” admits the Dubai resident and a powerful advocate for women and girls’ empowerment. “There is no path to follow and no precedent. But overcoming those challenges is what makes you shine.”

And shining is what she continues to do. After carving a niche for herself in the halls of tennis, she is now inspiring the next generation of players through her tennis academies even while she doesn’t miss an opportunity to speak out and encourage girls to realise their full potential.

The only Indian woman to have ever won a tennis Grand Slam title, Sania’s journey though is far more than a list of titles and trophies she amassed. It’s a story of resilience, mental strength, and an unwavering desire to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Growing up in Hyderabad, Sania’s entry into tennis was far from glamorous. “We started off by playing on courts smeared with cow dung,” she recalls in an exclusive interview with Friday on the sidelines of the event in Sharjah. “If we wanted to play on a proper hard court, we had to travel to Mumbai [about 14 hours away by train].”

Perseverence against uncertainty

Tennis was an expensive sport, and funding her early training was challenging. But her father Imran, a sports journalist, and mother, Nasima, supported her all through. “Unlike [some sports], where the system supports you, in tennis, you have to pay for everything — coaches, equipment, travel. It’s an investment with no guarantee of return. At least if you put your child in medical school, you know they’ll eventually become a doctor. With tennis, there’s no such certainty,” she says.

Despite the hurdles, Sania persevered. Initially coached by her father, Sania entered international tennis in 2003, going on to win the junior Wimbledon Championship the same year before becoming the first Indian woman to win a WTA title. “It was a dream I had as a little girl. To become world number one,” she reiterates.

Success didn’t come without its share of setbacks, though. Sania endured several injuries throughout her career, including three major surgeries. “I’ve had a torn meniscus for years,” she says, patting her knee. “Even now, my knee hurts occasionally. Injuries are part of every athlete’s life, but what people don’t realise is that the mental recovery is much harder than the physical one.”

One of her lowest moments came at the 2008 Olympics when an injury forced her to withdraw. “I questioned everything; whether I’d ever play again, represent my country, or get back to the same level,” she says. But with the support of her family, physios, and surgeons, she made a remarkable comeback and went on to compete in three more Olympics.

“How did I do it? It’s about evolving and learning to adapt. You have to keep finding new ways to overcome challenges,” says Sania, who has served as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia since 2013, advocating for gender equality and the elimination of violence against women.

Mental health in sports is a subject close to Sania’s heart. “When I was growing up, there wasn’t much talk about mental health in sports. We were expected to be like robots; perform while being immune to pressure and emotions. But we’re human too,” she says.

The loneliness of life on the tennis circuit is something most people don’t see. “When you lose a match, especially in a big tournament, you return to an empty hotel room, and it feels like the loneliest place in the world.”

What mental strategies or support systems helped her bounce back during tough times, like for instance, when she lost a match?

“Belief,” she says, not missing a beat. “Belief in oneself. Believing in your hard work and abilities is crucial. Even on bad days, you need to remind yourself that you’re still good enough to be the best. It’s about resilience and self-confidence, no matter what setbacks you face.”

That said, she has learned the importance of surrounding herself with the right people. “Having a support system is crucial. Whether it’s family, friends, or a coach, you need people who lift you up during the tough moments. “I owe a lot to my parents. Both are very knowledgeable about the sport and often double up as coach-cum-mentor on the circuit,” she says.

Empowering the next generation

A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Sania is determined to break stereotypes and inspire young girls to pursue their dreams.

“First and foremost, young girls need to believe they are equal. That’s the most important thing,” says Sania firmly. “Whether the opposite gender believes in that or not is a separate issue. The key is self-belief. Often, it’s the girls themselves who don’t believe they’re good enough to deserve equal opportunities. “

The second point the tennis ace wants to drive home is ensuring equal opportunity. “It’s not about physical equality; men and women are biologically different. But equality isn’t about who’s physically stronger; it’s about having the same opportunities.

“Women should be able to become CEOs or pursue their careers without being questioned about how they manage it with family responsibilities. Men aren’t asked those questions, so why should women be?

“Feminism isn’t about becoming the same as men; it’s about having equal treatment and opportunities. Unfortunately, we still live in a man’s world in many ways.”

Is there a piece of advice she can offer aspiring women athletes?

“Believe in yourself, no matter how many people tell you that you can’t,” says Sania.

“As women, we’re often told what we shouldn’t or can’t do: ‘don’t sit like that, don’t talk too loudly, don’t go out late’. It’s always about what not to do. We need to change that narrative to “You can” and “You should.” That’s when we’ll see real change.”

Balance in everything

Does she believe in work-life balance?

“I don’t really like the term work-life balance,” she says. “I believe in balance in everything. Too much of anything is not good.”

To drive home the points, she reveals how she finished a photoshoot the previous evening in India, caught a flight this morning, arrived in Dubai and spent some time with her son, before heading for the event in Sharjah. “After this, I’ll go straight to my son’s football match. I don’t want to miss that. It’s about scheduling and being organised. It’s not always easy, but if you strive for it, balance is achievable,” she is sure.

Since retiring from the game, Sania has embraced new roles, staying connected to the sport through TV commentary and her tennis academies in India and Dubai. “We’ve started tennis leagues and are now branching out into pickleball. My goal is to help young athletes achieve their dreams,” she says.

At home, Sania is a doting mother to her six-year-old son, who, like many boys his age, is obsessed with football. “He loves Ronaldo and prefers football over tennis,” she laughs. “But he does play tennis occasionally; and he’s a left-hander like me.”

For Sania, the most important lesson from sports isn’t winning; it’s building character. “Sport teaches you things no education can: how to bounce back from failure, how to be humble in victory, and how to handle pressure,” she says.

Her message to parents is clear: “Let your children enjoy sports. Winning will follow if they have the talent, but the real goal is to learn, and grow from the experience.”

As she continues to inspire the next generation, Sania remains committed to creating opportunities for young athletes. “It’s changed a lot in the past 30 years, but I hope the day comes when a girl is born, and her parents immediately think of sport as a possible career option for her just like they might do for a boy,” she says.

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