Sania Mirza announced on Wednesday that 2022 will be her last season on the WTA tour. After losing in the first round of women’s doubles, Sania made her announcement.
In one hour and 37 minutes, Sania and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok lost 4-6 6-7(5) to Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan.
“There are a few reasons for that. You can’t just say, ‘okay, I won’t play’. Although my recovery is taking longer, I am putting my 3-year-old son at risk by traveling so much with him. That’s something I have to consider. My body seems to be tiring. 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,” Sania said to the broadcasters after the match.
“It’s also important for me to find the motivation to come out every day. The energy is no longer there. I don’t feel like doing that more often now than I used to. I’ve always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, which I’m not so sure I enjoy anymore,” added Sania. In addition to winning a Grand Slam, she has won Major doubles tournaments and medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
“I was pretty certain that this would be my last season when the year started, 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,” admits the three-time Grand Slam winner of mixed doubles and women’s doubles.
