An athlete like no other, Sania Mirza has earned India the sort of fame on the Tennis court that arguably no one else has. Though the Tokyo Games is the 4th instance for Sania to be competing in the Olympics, it would be the first time she would be going in as a mother.
Speaking to NDTV, Sania highlighted how hard she had to work in order to put herself in a position to be in the sort of physical shape that allows her to compete at the highest level. The fact that she is a mother and is still able to play in a tournament of the stature of the Olympics, is something the ace tennis player is extremely proud of.
“If somebody told me at the previous Olympics that I would be going to another Olympics, I probably would have laughed about it. The fact that I’m here is special for many reasons, it is my fourth Olympics, it’s after having a child, which is something I’m very very proud of, putting myself in a position to compete at the highest level after having a baby,” she said.
It isn’t often that athletes manage to return to the field after embracing motherhood. But Sania is hopeful that her efforts will inspire a number of other mothers to not quit on their dreams.
“So I hope it can be an inspiration to some young women and young mothers out there, to say that you don’t have to give up on your dreams if you have a kid, you can still follow up on your own dreams.”
Sania will be participating with Ankita Raina in the Tokyo Games. The senior custodian had nothing but praise for the World No. 95 ranked tennis player.
“She is the best player in the country right now. Her discipline is probably her biggest strength. She wakes up every morning and puts in a 100 percent every single day. She’s been good over the last few years, she’s No.95 in the world and is invited to WTA events and Grand Slam qualifying.
“She is around this level and what goes into it, and is a very nice girl, we got to spend some time before the Billie Jean King Cup as well. It was the obvious choice, she is the best player in the country right now,” said Sania Mirza.
Sania also hailed Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju for helping her in the preparations for the Olympic Games.
