Happy birthday Sania Mirza, queen forever

Indian tennis has struggled to produce champions. Obviously, the system is to blame since it has focused more on selfish officials rather than nurturing talent and grooming rising stars. If there have been half a dozen champions who rose, despite the system called the All India Tennis Association, all credit to the players, be it the Krishnans, Amritrajs, and then Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza. Of course, to leave out Level 44 Rohan Bopanna would be blasphemy for the way he still continues to keep the Indian flag flying.

On Friday, it was interesting to read how Sania Mirza shared her wish on her 38^th birthday. All she has asked for is simple things in life, peace, good health and the company of her loving son Izhaan. Sania is lucky she and her mother Nasima share the same birth date. They share a great rapport as well. Today, Sania still makes news, even 22 months after she retired from the sport. Her run at the Australian Open in 2023 was hyped up, and she deserved it. The very fact, she still dominates social media and grabs headlines is significant. More so, for women’s tennis in India, since champions have not exactly taken over after Sania retired.

Each Indian tennis icon who retired has a lament, why the next set of champions have not been produced. Be it Leander, Mahesh or Sania, they have spoken, repeatedly, of a failed system, archaic coaching and a lousy tournament structure. Sania has done her bit for tennis, first in Hyderabad and now in Dubai. Sadly, the system is so rotten and corrupt, well meaning players cannot do too much. If you expect these former champions to take up hands on coaching, that is not the solution, really.

On her 38^th birthday, Sania has been asked if she misses playing tennis. The answer is a “yes’ since it has been her first love. There was and can be only one Sania Mirza, who battled so many hardships in life, No, it is not about lack of money, as often stories are made about in Indian sports. It has to do with Sania being under scrutiny all her life, since the time she started doing well. Lest one confusea her to be just a doubles champion, who won six Grand Slam titles, in mixed and women’s doubles, at her peak, Sania was a singles star. She pushed really hard in a competitive field, since women’s tennis is not sissy stuff. To get to a ranking near the top 35 zone was creditable, before she was plagued by injuries.

Sania was forced to shift to doubles, which came to her naturally. Since the time she won the girls’ doubles title at The Championships (Wimbledon) in 2003, Sania had served notice of her doubles’ potential. Her partner at that time was Alisa Kleybanova. The way Sania change gears from 2004 wad defining, but injuries hit her plus controversies. Even in an age when social media was absent, Sania had to face constant scrutiny. It is sad, she was being asked all kinds of ridiculous questions on her personal life, which, really, should not have been anybody’s concern. Paparazzi media and privacy are opposites. Sania was questioned for everything, blamed as well. That she put up with trash is a tribute to her inner calm. Sample this, social media acts like a kangaroo court and icons like Sania will be targeted. Why? All because she is a soft target and any bilge can be written/ said about her.

It is a miracle of sorts Sania never had a breakdown despite muck being thrown at her. Today is her birthday, and she has answered again how much she misses tennis. To have gone through a maternity break, come back, lost weight and again competed, Sania proved many wrong. Most important, her stage presence has never diminished. It does not matter if she no longer plays the sport. Her popularity soars as a celebrity, be it in India or in Dubai. As a natural speaker, her commentary skills are good. She is sought after and is sharp when she analyses a match, notably at a Grand Slam.

If there is one birthday gift Sania would crave for, it would be respecting her privacy and not intrude into her personal space. The girl turned champion woman has led a hard life in many ways. As she blows candles on the cake, pray she is respected as an athlete who put India on the global map. Happy birthday, Sania.