Biography of Sania Mirza in English

Biography of Sania Mirza in English: Explore the inspiring journey and achievements of Sania Mirza in our detailed English biography. Learn about her tennis career, personal life, awards, and more.

Biography of Sania Mirza in English

Category	Details
Country (sports)	India
Residence	Hyderabad, India
Born	15 November 1986 (age 36) in Bombay, Maharashtra
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Turned pro	February 2003
Retired	February 2023[3]
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
College	St. Mary’s College
Prize money	US$ 7,265,246
Singles
Career record	271–161 (62.7%)
Career titles	1
Highest ranking	No. 27 (27 August 2007)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	3R (2005, 2008)
French Open	2R (2007, 2011)
Wimbledon	2R (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009)
US Open	4R (2005)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games	1R (2008)
Doubles
Career record	536–248 (68.4%)
Career titles	43
Highest ranking	No. 1 (13 April 2015)
Current ranking	No. 35 (20 March 2023)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	W (2016)
French Open	F (2011)
Wimbledon	W (2015)
US Open	W (2015)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour Finals	W (2014, 2015)
Olympic Games	2R (2008)
Mixed doubles
Career titles	3
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open	W (2009)
French Open	W (2012)
Wimbledon	SF (2022)
US Open	W (2014)
Other mixed doubles tournaments
Olympic Games	SF (2016)
Medal record	Last updated on: 24 March 2023.

Sania Mirza is an Indian former professional tennis player who made a significant impact on the sport, particularly in women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Here are some key highlights of her career and achievements:

1. Professional Tennis Career: Sania Mirza was born on November 15, 1986, and she began her professional tennis career at a young age. She initially focused on singles but later transitioned to doubles due to a wrist injury.
2. Doubles World No. 1: She achieved the ranking of world No. 1 in women’s doubles, partnering with various teammates throughout her career.
3. Major Titles: Mirza won a total of six major titles in her career, with three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles. These victories came in prestigious tournaments like Grand Slams.
4. Highest-Ranked Indian Female Player: She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 27, making her the highest-ranked Indian female player in singles.
5. Career Earnings: Mirza became the first Indian woman to earn more than one million US dollars in her tennis career, eventually accumulating over $7.2 million in career earnings.
6. WTA Tour Titles: She was one of only two Indian women to win a WTA Tour title and the only one to be ranked within the top 100 in singles.
7. Milestone Wins: Mirza secured notable victories over top players like Martina Hingis, Dinara Safina, Victoria Azarenka, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Vera Zvonareva, and Marion Bartoli.
8. WTA Finals: She qualified for and won the WTA Finals in doubles in 2014 partnering with Cara Black and successfully defended her title the following year with Martina Hingis.
9. Retirement: Sania Mirza retired from professional tennis in February 2023, marking the end of her illustrious career.
10. Multi-Sport Success: She also had success in multi-sport events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Afro-Asian Games, winning a total of 14 medals, including six golds.
11. International Recognition: Mirza received international recognition for her achievements, including being named one of the “50 Heroes of Asia” by Time in 2005 and being featured in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.
12. UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador: She was appointed as the UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia in 2013, during the International Day To End Violence Against Women.

Sania Mirza’s career not only made her one of the most successful Indian tennis players but also an influential figure in the world of sports and an inspiration to many aspiring athletes in India and beyond.

Sania Mirza’s early life

Sania Mirza’s early life and background provide insight into her upbringing and the support system that contributed to her successful tennis career:

1. Birth and Family: Sania Mirza was born on November 15, 1986, in Mumbai, India. Her parents are Imran Mirza, a sports journalist, and Naseema Mirza, who worked in a printing business. After her birth, the family relocated to Hyderabad, where she and her younger sister Anam were raised.
2. Religious Background: Sania Mirza was raised in a Sunni Muslim family with a strong religious background.
3. Sister’s Marriage: Her younger sister, Anam Mirza, is married to Mohammad Asaduddin, who is the son of former Indian cricket team captain Mohammad Azharuddin. This connection further ties her to the world of sports.
4. Cricket Connections: Mirza has cricket connections beyond her brother-in-law. She is a distant relative of former cricket captains Ghulam Ahmed of India and Asif Iqbal of Pakistan, which underscores her family’s sports connections.
5. Introduction to Tennis: Sania Mirza started playing tennis at a very young age, beginning at the age of six. Her early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for her future success.
6. Education: She attended Nasr School in Hyderabad for her early education. She later graduated from St. Mary’s College in Hyderabad. Additionally, she received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in Chennai on December 11, 2008, recognizing her achievements and contributions to sports.
7. Coaches: While she received coaching from her father, Imran Mirza, she also received guidance from Roger Anderson, contributing to her development as a tennis player.

Sania Mirza’s upbringing and education provided her with a well-rounded foundation, and her family’s support and connections in the world of sports played a significant role in her journey to becoming a top-ranked tennis player in India and a prominent figure in the international tennis scene.

Tennis career

Sania Mirza’s early tennis career was marked by success in both junior and senior circuits. Here is a summary of her achievements during the years 2001 to 2009:

2001–2003: Success on the ITF Junior Circuit

• Sania Mirza started playing tennis at the age of six and turned professional in 2003.
• During her junior career, she won ten singles and thirteen doubles titles.
• In 2003, she won the Wimbledon Championships girls’ doubles title, partnering with Alisa Kleybanova.
• She also reached the semifinals of the 2003 US Open girls’ doubles and the quarterfinals of the 2002 US Open girls’ doubles.
• On the senior ITF Circuit, she began to show early success, including a quarterfinal showing in Pune and a semifinal finish in New Delhi in 2001.

2004–2005: Success in WTA Tour and Grand Slam Tournaments

• In 2004, Mirza won her first WTA doubles title at the Hyderabad Open, partnering with Liezel Huber.
• She won six ITF singles titles in 2004.
• In the 2005 Australian Open, she reached the third round before being beaten by Serena Williams.
• She became the first-ever Indian woman to win a WTA Tour title by winning the Hyderabad Open in 2005.
• Mirza reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the US Open in 2005.
• She was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2005.

2006–2007: Top 30 Singles Breakthrough

• Mirza was seeded at the 2006 Australian Open, becoming the first Indian woman to be seeded in a Grand Slam event.
• She reached the third round of the Indian Wells Open in 2006.
• In 2007, she achieved her highest singles ranking of world No. 27.
• Mirza had a successful summer hardcourt season in 2007, reaching the quarterfinals in San Diego and the semifinals at Cincinnati.
• She also reached the final at Stanford in 2007 and won four doubles titles during the year.

2008–2009: Grand Slam Mixed-Doubles Championship

• In 2008, Mirza reached the quarterfinals at Hobart and the third round at the Australian Open.
• She was the runner-up in the Australian Open mixed doubles partnering with Mahesh Bhupathi.
• In 2009, she won her first Australian Open Grand Slam title in mixed doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi.
• Mirza had a mix of singles results but made semifinals in doubles in several tournaments.

During the years 2010 to 2012, Sania Mirza faced various challenges and transitions in her tennis career:

2010:

• Mirza struggled with injuries during this year, particularly a right wrist injury that forced her to withdraw from several tournaments, including the French Open.
• She did manage to win the women’s singles bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and a silver medal in mixed doubles at the same event.
• In doubles, Mirza won titles in Guangzhou and was a runner-up in Taipei, partnering with different players.
• She also participated in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, reaching the final in women’s singles but finishing as the runner-up.

2011:

• Mirza continued to face challenges in singles, with early exits in many tournaments.
• She had success in doubles, winning titles at Indian Wells and Charleston, partnering with Elena Vesnina.
• Mirza reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in women’s doubles, a significant achievement.
• In mixed doubles at the French Open, she reached the finals alongside Mahesh Bhupathi.
• Despite her struggles in singles, her doubles performance improved her ranking.

2012:

• In doubles, Mirza partnered with different players throughout the year, including Cara Black.
• She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the US Open in women’s doubles.
• In mixed doubles at Wimbledon, she reached the finals with Horia Tecău but ended as the runner-up.
• She also participated in the London Olympics in both women’s and mixed doubles events.
• Mirza and her partner Cara Black won the WTA Finals in women’s doubles, a significant achievement.

2013-2014:

• Mirza achieved her breakthrough as a doubles specialist during these years.
• She formed a successful partnership with Martina Hingis, and the pair won numerous titles together.
• They won their first Grand Slam title together at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships.
• Mirza and Hingis also won the Australian Open and the US Open in 2015.
• They reached the world No. 1 ranking in women’s doubles.
• Mirza and Hingis continued their success in 2016, winning multiple titles.
• However, they decided to split as a team in August 2016.

2017-2018:

• Mirza struggled to find a consistent doubles partner in 2017.
• She missed several tournaments in 2018 due to a knee injury.
• In April 2018, Mirza announced her pregnancy with husband Shoaib Malik.

2020:

• After giving birth to her son, Mirza made a winning return to professional tennis in 2020, partnering with Nadiia Kichenok.
• They won the Hobart International but faced an early exit at the Australian Open due to a calf injury.

2022:

• Mirza had a successful year in 2022, reaching the semifinals of several WTA 1000 tournaments.
• She reached the third round of the French Open in women’s doubles.
• Her rankings improved, and she returned to the top 25 in doubles.

2023:

• Sania Mirza announced her retirement from professional tennis in January 2023.
• Her last tournament was scheduled to be the Dubai Championships in February 2023.

Mirza had a remarkable career, achieving numerous milestones and becoming one of India’s most successful tennis players. Her partnership with Martina Hingis in doubles was particularly noteworthy, leading to several Grand Slam titles and the world No. 1 ranking.

Retirement

Sania Mirza’s retirement marked the end of her illustrious tennis career. Here is a summary of her final tournaments and matches in 2023:

Adelaide International:

• Sania Mirza began her 2023 season at the Adelaide International, partnering with Anna Danilina.
• They faced a tough match against the top-seeded pair of Storm Hunter and Barbora Krejčíková but ultimately lost in three sets.

Australian Open:

• In the women’s doubles event, Mirza and Anna Danilina entered as the eighth seeds.
• They had a successful start by defeating Bernarda Pera and Dalma Gálfi in the first round in straight sets.
• Unfortunately, their journey came to an end in the second round when they lost to Anhelina Kalinina and Alison Van Uytvanck in three sets.
• This second-round match marked Sania Mirza’s final women’s doubles match at a major tournament.
• In mixed doubles, partnering with Rohan Bopanna, Mirza advanced to the final, which was a notable achievement in her farewell Grand Slam appearance.

Dubai Championships:

• The Dubai Championships served as the last tournament of Sania Mirza’s career.
• She partnered with Madison Keys for this tournament.
• It was a significant occasion as Mirza bid farewell to professional tennis.
• While details about their performance in the tournament are not provided in the text, it was the concluding chapter of her remarkable tennis journey.

Sania Mirza’s retirement marked the end of a successful and influential career in tennis. She will be remembered as one of India’s greatest tennis players, having achieved numerous milestones and inspired countless individuals through her contributions to the sport.

Overall, these years were marked by injuries and struggles in singles, but Sania Mirza found her niche in doubles, especially in women’s doubles, where she achieved success and high rankings. She also had notable achievements in mixed doubles and represented India in international competitions. Mirza’s partnerships with various players contributed to her success in the doubles circuit during this period.

Sania Mirza’s playing style

Sania Mirza’s playing style in tennis is characterized by several key attributes and strengths, as well as some weaknesses:

Strengths:

1. Powerful Groundstrokes: Mirza is known for her powerful groundstrokes, especially her forehand. She uses the sheer velocity of her groundstrokes to set up offensive attacks and put pressure on her opponents.
2. Forehand: Her forehand is considered her main strength. Mirza’s ability to hit powerful and well-placed forehand shots makes her a formidable opponent on the court.
3. Volleys: Mirza possesses strong volleying skills, which are valuable in both singles and doubles play. Her ability at the net allows her to finish points effectively, particularly in doubles matches.
4. Return of Serve: She is a great returner of serve and has the knack for finding return winners during matches. This skill puts additional pressure on her opponents’ service games.
5. Aggressiveness: Mirza is known for her aggressive style of play. She frequently goes for winners and angles, aiming to take control of points and put her opponents on the defensive.

Weaknesses:

1. Movement: One of her weaknesses is her movement around the court. Mirza has acknowledged that she is not particularly fast on her feet, which can sometimes limit her ability to cover the court effectively.
2. Second Serve: Her second serve is considered a vulnerability. In tennis, a weak second serve can be exploited by opponents to gain the upper hand in points.
3. Injuries: By 2012, a series of injuries had effectively ended her singles career. Injuries can be a significant challenge for any athlete and can impact their overall performance.

Despite these weaknesses, Sania Mirza’s strengths and aggressive playing style have made her a successful and well-respected tennis player, particularly in doubles play where her skills have shone brightly.

Awards and recognition

Sania Mirza has received numerous awards and recognition for her outstanding achievements in tennis and her contributions to sports. Here are some of the notable awards and honors she has received:

1. Arjuna Award (2004): This prestigious Indian sports award was conferred upon her in 2004, recognizing her excellence in tennis.
2. WTA Newcomer of the Year (2005): Mirza was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2005, acknowledging her rapid rise and impact in the world of women’s tennis.
3. Padma Shri (2006): She was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2006 for her significant contributions to sports.
4. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2015): In 2015, Mirza received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honor in India, recognizing her exceptional achievements in tennis.
5. BBC List of 100 Inspiring Women (2015): Mirza was featured in the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring women in 2015, highlighting her influence and inspirational journey.
6. Padma Bhushan (2016): She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2016, another prestigious civilian award in India, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to sports and society.
7. NRI of the Year (2016): Mirza received the NRI of the Year award in 2016, celebrating her achievements as a non-resident Indian.
8. Time 100 Most Influential People (2016): She was named in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016, acknowledging her global impact and influence.
9. Brand Ambassador of Telangana: In 2014, the government of Telangana appointed Sania Mirza as the brand ambassador of the state, recognizing her as a sporting icon and representative of the region.
10. Pinkvilla Style Icons Awards – Super Glam Sports Star of the Year (2023): In 2023, she received the Super Glam Sports Star of the Year award at the Pinkvilla Style Icons Awards.

Sania Mirza’s awards and recognition reflect her remarkable achievements in tennis and her status as a role model and inspiration to many in India and around the world.

Sania Mirza’s personal life

Sania Mirza’s personal life and her involvement in various activities and controversies are as follows:

Engagement and Marriage:

• In 2009, Sania Mirza got engaged to Sohrab Mirza; however, their wedding was called off shortly afterward.
• On 12 April 2010, she married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik in a traditional Hyderabadi Muslim wedding ceremony held at the Taj Krishna Hotel in Hyderabad, India, followed by Pakistani wedding customs. The mahr (dower) for the wedding was ₹6.1 million (approximately US$137,500). Their Walima ceremony took place in Sialkot, Pakistan.

Family:

• The couple announced their first pregnancy on social media on 23 April 2018.
• In October 2018, Shoaib Malik announced on Twitter that Sania Mirza had given birth to a baby boy named Izhaan Mirza Malik.

Other Activities:

• In 2014, Sania Mirza served as the brand ambassador for the Indian state of Telangana, promoting the interests of the newly created state.
• She established a tennis academy in Hyderabad, and notable figures in the tennis world, such as Cara Black and Martina Navratilova, have visited the academy on different occasions.
• Sania Mirza was appointed as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, becoming the first South Asian woman to hold this position in the organization’s history.

Controversies:

• In 2006, there were reports that Sania Mirza declined to play doubles with Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe’er due to concerns about potential protests from India’s Muslim community.
• In 2008, Mirza announced that she would not participate in tennis tournaments held in India, beginning with the 2008 Bangalore Open the following month. She cited a series of controversies and received advice from her manager. However, she later chose to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
• During the 2012 Olympics, there was a controversy surrounding her participation in mixed doubles with Leander Paes. Mirza accused the All India Tennis Association (AITA) of using her as ‘bait’ to keep Paes happy, as she wanted to play with Mahesh Bhupathi, with whom she had won two Grand Slams. In the end, she was paired with Paes, and they reached the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles.
• In 2008, Sania Mirza, along with Sunitha Rao, was photographed violating the dress code at the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony parade. She later reaffirmed her loyalty to India and her desire to represent the country.
• Sania Mirza faced criticism when she was referred to as “Pakistan’s daughter-in-law” and deemed unfit to represent an Indian state after being appointed as the brand ambassador for Telangana. The criticism was related to her marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. Telangana’s chief minister, Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, presented her with ₹1 crore on two occasions. She was also summoned by the tax department for non-payment of service tax on the payment received, but she clarified that the ₹1 crore was a training incentive and not for her role as the state’s brand ambassador.

Autobiography

Sania Mirza published her autobiography titled “Ace Against Odds” in July 2016. This autobiography offers readers insights into her remarkable journey to the top of the tennis world. In the book, she shares her experiences on and off the court, highlighting memorable encounters and discussing the people and relationships that have played significant roles in her personal and athletic development. “Ace Against Odds” provides a firsthand account of her life, struggles, and achievements in the world of tennis and beyond.