Australian Open 2023: Sania Mirza Tears Up Mid Speech after Losing Mixed Doubles Final | Watch

Sania Mirza’s last Grand Slam match ended in defeat as she and Rohan Bopanna went down 6-7(2), 2-6 to the Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos in the final of the mixed doubles event at the Australian Open at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

Sania will end her career with six Grand Slam titles after failing to win the Australian Open mixed doubles trophy with her compatriot Bopanna in 1 hour and 27 minutes.

Australian Open 2023 Mixed Doubles Final: Sania Mirza-Rohan Bopanna vs Luisa Stefani-Rafael – Highlights

After the match, Saina had tears in her eyes, speaking to the tournament organisers.

“I’m still gonna play a couple more tournaments but the journey of my professional career started in Melbourne. It started in Melbourne in 2005 when I played Serena Williams in the third round here as an 18-year-old,” she said.

“I’ve had the privilege to come back here again and again and win some tournaments here and play some great final amongst you all, and it’s Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life. And I couldn’t think of a better arena to finish my career at in a Grand Slam. So thank you so much for making me feel at home here,” she added.

Sania had announced that the WTA event in Dubai in February will be her swansong.

Sania, who won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2009, won the title with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi. She later won the women’s doubles title at Melbourne Park in 2016 with Swiss great Martina Hingis.

Sania has won three women’s doubles and as many mixed doubles titles in her career. Out of Sania’s six Grand Slams title, three are mixed doubles trophies which she won with Mahesh Bhupathi (2009 Australian Open, 2012 French Open) and Brazilian Bruno Soares (2014 US Open).

All three women’s doubles titles came with Swiss great Martina Hingis. (Wimbledon 2015, US Open 2015 and Australian Open 2016).

(With inputs from Agencies)

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