Doubles World No. 1 Sania Mirza celebrates her 30th birthday today, and the first ever female No. 1 from India has had many exciting moments in her career so far – both on and off the court! From starting off as a singles champion and even hitting the top 30, Mirza was forced by injury to focus only on the doubles. But perhaps that was a blessing in disguise; Mirza took to the format like a duck to water, and truly hit her stride last year after pairing with former Singles No.1 Martina Hingis.
Her partnership with the Swiss Miss helped Mirza significantly up her game, and her aggressive forehand took centrestage. Although the pair, who swept WTA titles and Grand Slams together, split up earlier in 2016, that did nothing to stop the Indian’s juggernaut. Quickly pairing up with Czech ace Barbora Strycova, Mirza excelled on the Asian leg of the WTA Tour, and overtook Martina Hingis in the rankings to become the sole World No. 1.
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Here are 9 moments where she proved her power on and off court:
Answering Sanjay Manjrekar
Never one to shy away from controversy, Sania Mirza was crowned year-end World No. 1 for the second year in a row – but not all were happy with the news. Former cricketer and popular commentator Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted to the news of Sania Mirza’s No. 1 ranking, saying she did not specify it was the “doubles No. 1,” which he implied was less of an achievement.
Mirza, in typical fashion, responded on Twitter, telling Manjrekar it was “obvious”.
Responding to Leander Paes
Mirza is known for speaking her mind, whether in person or on social media, and even this time, she did not hold back. While Mirza and Bopanna, who were a pair at the Olympic Games this year in Rio, get along, former doubles no. 1 Leander Paes has been in an ongoing feud with the players, and took a dig at both in an interview following the Davis Cup, where he alleged that the ‘wrong teams’ had been sent to Rio.
Not one to keep silent, Mirza wrote on Twitter, “The ONLY way to win with a toxic person, is not to play!!! #karmaiswatching #zenmode.”
First Grand Slam Win
No Indian woman had ever won a Grand Slam – but that all changed in 2015, when a certain Sania Mirza, her star truly in the ascendent, took Wimbledon by storm. Partnered by one of the best in the business and on her feet and hands and every bit of her as charged as India’s fans, Sania Mirza amassed victory, after victory, after victory – until fans decided they coudl believe what had previously been considered the impossible.
And Sania Mirza, with Martina Hingis, lifted the trophy at Wimbledon 2015 – not only her first Grand Slam win, but the first time an Indian woman had, er, aced a Grand Slam. And declared herself and the country ever so proudly.
First time as World No. 1
No Indian woman had ever been as successful at the sport as Sania Mirza has, and Mirza was at one point in the top 30 in the singles before her injury forced her to make a switch.
And then, after Grand Slams, titles and a mammoth ascent up the rankings, Mirza became the first Indian woman to become tennis’ World No. 1. And if anyone thought that she was a flash in the pan, she continued that form well into this year.
Answering the skirters
Mirza, an observant Muslim, faced backlash from clerics a few years into her career, who alleged that the player’s clothing was ‘too short’, describing it as ‘un-Islamic’. Mirza, who proudly observes her religion, took offence at the clerics’ statement, responding to them in a pithy reply. “"As long as I am winning, people shouldn't care whether my skirt is six inches (15 centimeters) long or 6 feet (two meters) long," she had said to the cleric who alleged Mirza, an icon for young women world over, was “leading young Muslim women astray.”
First title after split with Hingis
In the immediate aftermath of her split from Martina Hingis, many, who had derided the Indian as the inferior partner in the partnership, would flounder in her career without backing from the Swiss. But Mirza, who paired immediately with the successful Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic, although she faltered at the US Open, overcame teething problems to win back-to-back titles and finals on the Asian leg of the WTA Tour.
The two won the Cincinnati Masters title soon after coming together as they embarked on a successful wrap-up to 2015
Second successive year as World No. 1
The points amassed during the Asia leg coupled with Hingis’ early exit at the WTA Finals, sealed the title for a second year after being tailed by Hingis for most of the latter season since they split. For all of Mirza’s success with Strycova, Hingis was also consistent with her partner, Coco Vandeweghe, even facing Mirza and Strycova in a final.
With only a 5 point deficit between No. 1 Mirza and No. 2 Hingis going into the WTA Finals Singapore, the two were paired together for that event, having qualified together. But an early loss for the pair – despite having put up a fight – meant that Hingis would not be able to catch up to Sania Mirza, giving the Indian the World No. 1 title a second year in a row – and this time, alone.
”Pakistan ki Bahu”
Sania Mirza, met, was in a relationship with, and eventually married former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. Given the national divide between the countries, miscreants described the tennis star as ‘Pakistan ki Bahu’, or the ‘daughter-in-law of Pakistan.’
With her win at Wimbledon last year, Mirza became the first Indian woman to take that title (having won with Hingis). Almost instantly, the slurs stopped, with the 29-year-old described as India’s pride.
“Those who called me Pakistan ki Bahu before, are now calling me India ki Beti, (India’s daughter),” she said.
Shutting down sexist news anchors
This year, Mirza, who launched her autobiography, was interviewed by popular news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, who proceeded to, halfway through the interview, ask Mirza about her “plans for a family,” and why she “had not settled down yet.”
Mirza, in typical Sania Mirza style, asked the anchor why he did not use the same parameters when interviewing male sportspersons, and why they were never asked about their plans for their personal lives. “I met someone, I fell in love and got married,” she said, “is that not being ‘settled’?”
Mirza’s shutdown left the anchor shocked and profusely apologizing almost immediately. And it made a nation of strong, independent women proud.
