Sania Mirza Interview: I am neither a rebel nor… Sania Mirza vented her anger, gave a sharp answer to every question – sania mirza talk about her career in an interview after retirement

New Delhi: Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has no qualms about living life on her own terms. Many consider Sania to be a trend-setter while some call her a breaker of barriers. However, Sania herself does not agree with these things. She believes that she just wants to live life ‘on her own terms’. Sania has achieved astonishing success in tennis which is nowhere near any other Indian female tennis player. On the other hand, even if we look at international players, there is no one to be seen far and wide who can achieve success equal to Sania in the coming times. Sania has led an inspiring life. Sania, in an interview at her residence in Dubai, said that society should accept differences and avoid projecting anyone as a ‘villain or a hero’ for those who dare to do things in their own way. Needed

I don’t think I have broken any rules or restrictions – Sania Mirza

Sania, who has retired from international tennis, said, ‘I don’t think I have broken any rules or restrictions. Who are these people who are making these rules and who are these people who are creating the definition of ideal. Sania, playing her last tournament (WTA) in Dubai, said, “I think every person is different and every person should have the freedom to be different.” The 36-year-old Indian player said, ‘I think as a society this is where we can probably do better. We should not praise or badmouth people just because they are doing something different.

Sania said, ‘We all talk in different ways, we all have different opinions. I think once we all accept that we are all different, we can live together with those differences without talking about breaking the rules. Having won six Grand Slam doubles titles and the year-end WTA Championships trophy, as well as a career-best singles ranking of No. 27, Sania is, if not a ‘trend-setter’, then what is she?

Sania wants to live life on her own terms

Sania Mirza said in the interview that she wants to live her life on her own terms. Sania said, ‘I myself try to live with honesty. That’s what I’ve tried to do. I have tried to stay true to myself as well as live life on my own terms. I think everybody should be able to do that and have the freedom to do that. No one should say that you are setting new benchmarks. You are breaking the rules because you are doing something you want to do.

Apart from this, Sania further mentioned in the interview that she is very proud that she is doing something different in life. The veteran player said, ‘It is something that I am very proud of because it is not necessary that I be different from others. I may be different for you, but that doesn’t mean I am a rebel, or breaking any kind of rules.’

Not supporting women athletes is not just limited to Muslim families: Sania Mirza

A lot has changed in Indian sports over the years, but female athletes had struggled for acceptance and recognition until recent years. They were also not considered fit to pursue a career in sports and if one was from a Muslim family, there were more difficulties. Sania said that not supporting women athletes is not just limited to Muslim families. He said, ‘I don’t think it is just an issue of the Muslim community.

This problem is in the subcontinent only. If this was not the case, we would have seen a lot more young women from all communities playing. You must have heard Mary Kom also saying that people did not want her to take up boxing. Actually it has nothing to do with any community. I come from a family that was way ahead of its time, which inspired their young girl to take up tennis. At that time tennis which was a sport that was unheard of in Hyderabad and then to dream of playing in Wimbledon was unimaginable.

Parents have given full support regarding the game

Not only this but Sania further told how her parents have supported her in her game. He said, ‘I don’t know whether there was any pressure on my parents regarding sports or not. But he didn’t let me feel that pressure. They kept me safe, I didn’t really understand much of it until I was a bit older. I had heard whispers here and there from my uncles and aunts that ‘what will happen if you turn black because of playing, how will you get married’. Sania further said, ‘Any girl from Asia can tell these things. A young woman is considered complete only when she looks good or looks a certain way, gets married, has a child. There is a mindset that only after these things a girl becomes complete.

Sania also spoke on her return after becoming a mother

Sania Mirza said about her return after becoming a mother, ‘I returned to the game because I wanted to show that even after becoming a mother, you can become a champion and live life with freedom. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice parts of your life. You cannot be a mother, wife or daughter. You can become a champion even after doing this.
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