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Biography of Sania Mirza: “I don’t play to prove a point. I play for my country and myself. If I feel I have the ability to achieve something, I’ll keep trying till I succeed”. When we think about sportspersons in Tennis, Sania Mirza is the first person that comes to mind! With a successful international career that spanned two decades, Sania Mirza remains the face of Tennis in India. She has been awarded the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan by the government of India. This blog delves into the life, career, and legacy of Sania Mirza, offering a comprehensive overview of her journey from a young tennis prodigy to a global icon.
Table of Contents
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Sania Mirza |
| Date of Birth | November 15, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, India |
| Profession | Former Tennis Player |
| Highest Doubles Ranking | No. 1 |
| Major Titles | 6 (3 Women’s Doubles, 3 Mixed Doubles) |
| Years Active | 2003–2023 |
| Net Worth | $26 million (approx. Rs 210 crore) |
Biography of Sania Mirza – Early Life and Education
Sania Mirza was born on November 15, 1986, in Mumbai, India. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Hyderabad.
- Sania’s father, Imran Mirza, worked as a sports journalist, while her mother, Naseema, was involved in the printing business.
- Sania grew up in a Sunni Muslim family alongside her younger sister, Anam.
- The family has distant ties to former cricket captains Ghulam Ahmed of India and Asif Iqbal of Pakistan.
Tennis Beginnings
Sania started playing tennis at the tender age of six, coached initially by her father, then under CK Bhupati, the father of Mahesh Bhupati and later by Roger Anderson.
- She attended Nasr School in Hyderabad and later graduated from St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad.
- Recognising her contributions to sports, the Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in Chennai awarded her an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2008.
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Marriage and Personal Life
On April 12, 2010, Sania Mirza married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik in a traditional Muslim wedding in Hyderabad, India.
- The couple’s marriage attracted significant media attention, making Sania the most searched female tennis player and Indian athlete on Google in 2010.
- The couple had a wedding reception in Sialkot, Pakistan.
- In a recent development, Sania Mirza confirmed her divorce from Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. The couple had been separated for a few months before the announcement. Despite their separation, they have requested privacy and have asked fans to avoid making speculations.
Tennis Career of Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza began her professional tennis career at a young age. As a junior player, she achieved significant success, winning 10 singles and 13 doubles titles. In the 2002, Asian Games in Busan, she played with Leander Paes.
- In 2004, Sania made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a WTA doubles title at the AP Tourism Hyderabad Open.
- She also secured six ITF singles titles that year. Her remarkable performance in 2005 earned her the title of WTA Newcomer of the Year.
- Sania continued to break barriers, becoming the first Indian woman to be seeded at a Grand Slam event, the 2006 Australian Open.
- She clinched the Bangalore Open doubles title and excelled at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, winning gold in mixed doubles and silver in women’s singles and teams.
- In mid-2007, Sania reached her highest singles ranking of No. 27 in the world along with winning four doubles titles.
- Sania won her first Australian Open Grand Slam Doubles title in 2009 and later secured her first Premier Mandatory title at Indian Wells in 2011.
- Her impressive performance in the Fed Cup in 2013 helped India advance to the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.
| Year | Notable Heights in Sania Mirza’s Career |
| 2004 | First Indian woman to win a WTA doubles title |
| 2005 | WTA Newcomer of the Year |
| 2006 | First Indian woman to be seeded at a Grand Slam, Bangalore Open doubles title, Gold at Doha Asian Games |
| 2007 | Highest singles ranking of No. 27, |
| 2014 | WTA Finals Doubles Champion with Cara Black |
| 2015 | World No. 1 in Doubles with Martina Hingis |
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Final Years and Retirement
Sania continued to perform at a high level, adding more titles and accolades to her name. In 2018, she took maternity leave and made a successful comeback in 2020, winning the Hobart International with Nadiia Kichenok.
- However, due to physical wear and tear, she announced her retirement in 2022.
- Sania Mirza officially retired from professional tennis on March 5, 2023, after her last competition at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Awards and Achievements
Sania Mirza’s career is adorned with so many awards and achievements, recognizing her contributions to tennis and sports in India.
| Year | Awards won by Sania Mirza |
| 2004 | Arjuna Award for Lawn Tennis |
| 2005 | WTA Newcomer of the Year |
| 2006 | Padma Shri |
| 2015 | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna |
| 2016 | Padma Bhushan, NRI of the Year |
| 2023 | Super Glam Sports Star of the Year |
Sania Mirza Net Worth
According to the Financial Express, Sania Mirza’s net worth is an impressive $26 million, approximately Rs 210 crore from her earnings and endorsements, reflecting her dedication and passion for the sport.
FAQs
The autobiography name of Sania Mirza is Ace Against Odds.
Sania MIrza’s current world ranking is No. 35.
She is the first-ever Indian to break into the top 10 in doubles and top 30 WTA rankings in singles.
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