Six times Grand Slam Champion Sania retired from the game last month in Dubai, where she donned the tennis outfit for the last time in a competitive tournament.
In his congratulatory message to Sania, the Prime Minister said she had left an indelible mark on Indian sports, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Thanking Prime Minister Modi for the kind gesture, Sania posted the letter, dated March 9, on her Twitter account: “I would like to thank you, Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, for such kind and inspiring words. I have always been very proud to represent our country to the best of my abilities and I will continue to do everything I can to make India proud Thank you for your support.
I would like to thank you, Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, for those kind and inspiring words. I always… https://t.co/oyBH0HvSq9
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) 1678530152000
“Tennis fans will find it hard to understand that you will no longer be playing professionally,” Modi wrote in the letter.
“…..In your Excellency, the world saw a glimpse of India’s sporting prowess. When you started playing, the landscape of Indian tennis was very different. What you did was to illustrate that more women can play tennis and excel at it.
“But, beyond that, your success has also given strength to several other women who wanted to pursue a career in sport but who for one reason or another were reluctant to do so,” the Prime Minister wrote. .
The Prime Minister wrote that Sania’s success filled the hearts of all Indians with pride.
Six time major champion 🏆Former world #1 in doubles 🌟Congratulations on a fantastic career, @MirzaSania 💜#ThankYouSania https://t.co/7mXdiu86dQ
– wta (@WTA) 1676993117000
“When you announced a ‘Life Update’ on January 13, you wonderfully expressed your journey from a six-year-old girl who literally had to fight her way onto the (tennis) courts to a tennis player. world-class tennis in the following years.” You wrote that the greatest honor for you was winning medals for India. I can say that you are the pride of India, whose success has filled the hearts and minds of every Indian with extreme joy,” Modi wrote.
The Prime Minister also recalled when Sania went through a tumultuous phase, when a wrist injury almost put her career in jeopardy, before she became a solid double player.
“Due to twists of fate, you had to deal with injuries, but those setbacks only strengthened your resolve and you overcame those challenges with flying colors.”
Modi hoped that Sania would continue to mentor young sporting talents.
Sania was recently named Women’s Premier League Mentor (WPL) Royal Challengers Bangalore side.
