Sania Mirza retirement: Swiatek, Jabeur and others congratulate Indian tennis star on a glorious career

Mirza, a former World No.1 in doubles, stepped on the court for one last time at the WTA1000 event in Dubai on Tuesday.

FILE PHOTO: India’s Sania Mirza retired from tennis after her first-round loss in women’s doubles at the WTA1000 event in Dubai on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza ended her 20-year-long tennis career at the WTA1000 event in Dubai on Tuesday.

As announced earlier last month, the 36-year-old stepped on the court for one last time, along with USA’s Madison Keys. The Indo-American pair lost the first-round fixture 4-6, 0-6 to the Russian pair of Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova.

READ - Sania Mirza: A peerless legend leaves a lasting legacy

The six-time Grand Slam champion received congratulatory messages on social media from the tennis world on a glorious career during which she also became the World No.1 in doubles.

Here are some of the congratulatory messages

A heartfelt tribute from the WTA Tour

Six-time major champion 🏆
Former doubles World No.1 🌟

Congrats on a fantastic career, @MirzaSania 💜#ThankYouSaniapic.twitter.com/7mXdiu86dQ

— wta (@WTA) February 21, 2023

A proud father

Curtains come down on a glittering career of @MirzaSania as she and Madison Keys lose in Dubai. Super proud of what you have achieved in the last 30 years since you picked up the racket, Sania and may Allah always bless you. https://t.co/LiV94CqHZG

— Imran Mirza (@imrandomthought) February 21, 2023

Mirza’s partner, Mahesh Bhupathi, with whom she created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam when the pair clinched the mixed doubles title at 2009 Australian Open.

Welcome to retirement @MirzaSania you outdid yourself time and time again both on and off the court …. Proud of you !! pic.twitter.com/xNzIykOIqH

— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) February 21, 2023

From one Grand Slam champion to another

Thank you champion @MirzaSania 👏❤️ https://t.co/7uqwjSHSgG

— MARION BARTOLI (@bartoli_marion) February 21, 2023

Nothing but respect from another record-breaker

End of an era!
Today #IndianTennis bids it's goodbye to the icon who became a role model and inspiration for millions 🙌🏻

Happy retirement, @MirzaSania 😇#SaniaMirza#Tennispic.twitter.com/wgsTkfAe1N

— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) February 21, 2023

World No.1 Iga Swiatek

Thank you @MirzaSania 🙌🏼🤗 https://t.co/ZGTv5qGFqw

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) February 21, 2023

Trailblazer Ons Jabeur

Habibi @MirzaSania ❤️ https://t.co/w8OiD43YU5

— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) February 21, 2023

Olympic medallist Leander Paes

Current India No.1 Ankita Raina

I consider myself lucky to have shared the court and some memorable moments of my life with you @MirzaSania

You are and will always be an inspiration to every aspiring athlete in this country! pic.twitter.com/tHh1L2iREM

— Ankita Raina (@ankita_champ) February 23, 2023

India No.2 Karman Kaur Thandi

Ask anyone about tennis or sport in India and they will tell you Sania Mirza!
Congratulations @MirzaSania on an incredible journey and thank you for inspiring me and a generation of young girls to dare to dream and live life on their terms. Wish you the best for a new beginning! pic.twitter.com/0nTNGIhqff

— Karman Kaur Thandi (@KarmanThandi) February 22, 2023

2017 French Open mixed doubles champion Rohan Bopanna

As you say goodbye to the professional tour. I would like to thank you for all the amazing memories we shared together. The inspiration you have given to everyone and most importantly the sacrifice, dedication & commitment to the sport & 🇮🇳.
Congratulations @MirzaSania 🤗🤗. pic.twitter.com/rZXfHi5o1K

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) February 22, 2023