Sania Mirza reflects on her life in an interview with the BBC Urdu. She opened up about her retirement decision, changes in her life, and her career.
Sania attributed her retirement decision to her health and changes in her body. “A lot of people asked about my decision to retire. I wanted to stop on the top. It was very important to me,” said Sania Mirza.
She added that the recovery from the match was taking longer than before. “My body had become a huge problem after three surgeries and a kid as well. The recovery wouldn’t happen the way it was needed,” she remarked. Despite her successes, the journey wasn’t always visible to spectators: “People would see that I was playing finals but they couldn’t see what I had to do to get there.”
She added that she understands that not everyone likes her. “I don’t think I feel that people are after me but I do understand and realise that not everyone can like you in the world. Everyone in your family can’t like you, then how would everyone in the world like you,” said Sania Mirza.
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Reacting to public criticism she said, “There are millions and millions of people. Everyone has different opinions, choices, likes, and dislikes. It’s not a personal attack on you.”
She said that over the years she has developed patience. “I have definitely developed more patience. I think that is something that has happened both with my age and my child’s birth. I think when you become a mother, you don’t have a choice other than being patient,” she expressed, highlighting the transformation from her earlier impulsive tendencies to a more thoughtful demeanour.
Sania said that money and fame are not important. “The most important things in life are not money and fame,” she contended. “They are a part of luxury but they are not the most important. What’s most important is who is going to be there for you in your tough times, who are you willing to stand up for.”