Sania Mirza’s Grand Slam career ended with six titles after she and Rohan Bopanna failed to lift the Australian Open mixed doubles title on Friday.
The unseeded pair lost 6–7(2) 2–6 in the final at Rod Laver Arena to the Brazilian team of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos. Prior to this last major tournament, Sania had already won three women’s doubles and three mixed doubles titles. Bopanna, who is 42, has one French Open mixed doubles title to his credit.
“Disclaimer, if I cry it’s tears of joy, not tears of sadness. I don’t want to take away from Matos-Stefani the moment she deserves. I’m still going to play a few more tournaments, but the journey is my best.” The professional career started in Melbourne in 2005, when I played against Serena Williams in the third round at the age of 18.
She said that she never imagined that she would play a Grand Slam final in front of her children and parents.
“I have had the privilege of coming here time and again, winning some tournaments here and playing some great finals. Rod Laver Arena has been really special in my life. I couldn’t have thought of a better place to end my career. I never thought I’d be able to play in a Grand Slam final in front of my kid, so it’s really special for me that my 4-year-old is here, my parents are here.”
With all said and done, Mirza will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
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