"My knee is hurting, I am not enjoying as much anymore", Sania Mirza announces retirement post 2022

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza decided to call it quits after her first round loss in the women's doubles at the Australian Open 2022.

After losing in the first round of the Australian Open in women's doubles, Sania Mirza announced her retirement on Wednesday. She stated that 2022 will be her final season on the WTA tour.

The six times grand slam champion Mirza and her partner Nadiia Kichenok were seeded at 12th. In one hour and 36 minutes, the unseeded pair of Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek defeated them by 6-4 7-6.

"There's a few reasons for it. It's not as simple as 'okay I'm not going to play'. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I'm putting my three-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him. That's something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down. 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 told the reporters in Melbourne park.

The 68th rank holder went on to add, "Also for me to find that motivation everyday to come out. The energy is not the same anymore. There are more days than there used to be where I don't feel like doing that. I've always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I'm not sure I'm enjoying as much anymore".

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Sania Mirza, 35, is the most successful Indian woman in tennis. She has a spectacular career that spanned over two decades and included dozens of titles, including all four Grand Slams. When she walked the court in Tokyo 2020, she also made history as the first Indian woman to compete in four Olympics.

"I have a bit of a meniscus issue going on my right knee. I woke up with wrist pain a couple of days ago. At 35, I am waking up with a couple of things that I don't know where they're coming from! I want to finish the season, to at least play until the US Open. That is my goal. But I still have to take it week-to-week," said Mirza.

"If this is my last Grand Slam, it is a great way to go out to play with someone who I've known since I was 12 years old. We'll just try to have fun on the court," she added.

Mirza will now play mixed doubles alongside Rajeev Ram of the United States, a fellow Grand Slam champion.

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