Six times Grand Slam champion Sania retired last month in dubaiwhere she wore her tennis outfit for the last time in a competitive tournament.
In a congratulatory message to Sania, the Prime Minister said she has left an indelible mark on Indian sport, inspiring future generations of athletes.
Thanking Prime Minister Modi for this kind gesture, Sania posted a letter dated 9 March on her Twitter account: “I would like to thank my respectable Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji for the kind and touching words. I am always proud to represent our country to the best of my ability and will continue to do whatever I can to make India proud.Thanks for your support. “
I would like to thank the Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji for such kind and inspiring words. I always… https://t.co/oyBH0HvSq9
– Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) 1678530152000
“Tennis lovers will find it difficult to understand that you will not be playing professionally from now on,” Modi wrote in the letter.
“…..With your excellence, the world got a glimpse of India’s sporting prowess. When you started competing, the Indian tennis scene was very different. What you did. is an illustration that many women can pursue tennis and excel at it.
“But, in addition, your success empowers a number of other women who want to pursue a career in sports but have hesitated for one reason or another,” the Prime Minister wrote.
The Prime Minister wrote that Sania’s success fills every Indian heart with pride.
Six-time major champion 🏆Former world No.1 doubles 🌟Congratulations on a great career, @MirzaSania 💜#ThankYouSania https://t.co/7mXdiu86dQ
– wta (@WTA) 1676993117000
“When you announced the ‘Life Update’ on January 13, you wonderfully represented your journey from a six-year-old who had to literally fight to get to the (tennis) court. into a world-class tennis player in the following years.” You wrote about the greatest honor for you is to win a medal for India. I can say that you are the pride of India, their success has filled the hearts and minds of every Indian with extreme joy,” Modi wrote.
The Prime Minister also recalled the time Sania went through a tumultuous period, when a wrist injury almost ruined her career, before she emerged as a powerful doubles player.
“Due to a twist of fate, you have had to deal with trauma but these setbacks only strengthened your resolve and you overcame these challenges with excellence.”
Modi hopes Sania will continue to mentor young sports talents.
Sania was recently appointed an advisor to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) beside Bangalore Royal Challenger.
