Shoaib calls Sania 'a much needed hope for all women in sports'
A combo image shows Sania Mirza in action during a match and with her husband Shoaib Malik.
Gulf Today Report
India tennis star Sania Mirza on Friday wrapped up her legendary Grand Slam career as Australian Open mixed doubles runner-up.
The Indian ace and partner Rohan Bopanna lost to the all-Brazilian pair Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos in the mixed doubles final at Melbourne Park.
After the match, an emotional Sania announced the end of her Grand slam career which led to an outpouring of emotional tributes to the legendary player from her fans and friends.
One of the messages, which caught the attention of netizens was from none other than her cricketer husband Shoaib Malik.
Shoaib Malik shared a picture of his wife and wrote a heartfelt message for her on his twitter handle.
"You are the much needed hope for all the women in sports. I'm super proud of you for all your achievements in your journey. You're an inspiration for many, keep going strong. Many congratulations on an unbelievable career," he tweeted.
Sania and Bopanna were beaten 7-6(2), 6-2 by Brazilians Stefani and Matos, who were playing in their first-ever Grand Slam final.
"The journey of my professional career started in Melbourne in 2005 when I played Serena Williams in the third round as an 18-year-old," an emotional Sania said.
"That was scarily enough 18 years ago and I've had the privilege to come back here again and again and win some titles here. Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life. To play the final, obviously, we couldn't get over the line, but there's no better place and no better person to finish my Grand Slam career with."
"I never thought I'd be able to play in front of my child in a Grand Slam final, so it's truly special for me to have my four-year-old here and my parents here, Rohan's wife here," she added.
