Watch: Sania Mirza breaks down in tears during emotional farewell speech | Tennis news

The stage was set for a fairytale ending to Sania Mirza’s Grand Slam career. After entering the Australian Open as the unseeded pair alongside Rohan Bopanna in the so-called ‘last dance’, the Indian pair battled their way to the final but failed to get their hands on the elusive mixed doubles trophy as they lost. 6-7(2) 2-6 for Brazilian pair Luisa Stefani and Rafael Mataos in the top match at Rod Laver Arena on Friday. But apart from the loss, Sania’s eyes were left with tears in her emotional farewell speech after the match.

If everything had gone as she had planned last year at Melbourne Park, Sania would have had to sit at home and watch the final. But an injury in August changed her plans before she announced earlier this month that she would retire at the WTA 1000 Dubai in February, making the 2023 Australian Open her final Grand Slam event.

And in many ways, it seems the most fitting place for Sania to say goodbye to her impressive Grand Slam career. At Melbourne Park, Sania had started her big career against the legendary Serena Williams in 2005. And it was at the Rod Laver Arena four years later, where she won her first Grand Slam trophy alongside Mahesh Bhupathi.

If I cry, these are happy tears. I don’t want to take a moment away from Matos-Stefan, who have earned this. I’m still going to play a couple of tournaments, but my career started in Melbourne in 2005 when I played Serena when I was 18. I’ve had the privilege of coming back here again and again and winning tournaments here and playing great finals here. Rod Laver Arena has been a very special life. “I couldn’t think of a better arena to end my latest Grand Slam,” said Sania, who ended her career with six majors, including three women’s doubles and as many mixed doubles titles.

As Rohan said, he was my first mixed doubles partner when I was 14 and we won the national tournament. It wasn’t the same arena as this one. But that was 22 years ago. And I couldn’t imagine a better partner, he is one of my best friends and my best partner to end my career. Of course we didn’t get over the line, but I have no better person to end my Grand Slam career with. Thank you, Rohan, he added.

Sania will play her last WTA tournament at the Dubai Championships starting from February 19.