After two decades in professional tennis, Sania Mirza retired in 2023.
Her career began in the early 2000s and included six Grand Slam titles.
Brut journalist Mehul Tak spoke to Mirza over a plate of food where she discussed the pressures of professional sport, mental health, motherhood and the challenges young athletes face in India.
Here are the key takeaways.
Playing Through Pollution
Mirza addressed concerns raised by some athletes about playing in India because of pollution. She said athletes had the right to make personal choices about where they compete.
At the same time, she pointed out that India is not the only country with serious pollution problems. During her career, she played tournaments in places where smog was so dense that players struggled to see clearly across the court.
The Mental Health of a Sportsperson
Professional sport demanded intense commitment, Mirza said. Athletes travel most of the year, live out of suitcases and often miss family events while constantly working to improve performance.
Sania Mirza said this lifestyle can affect mental health. She also shared that she experienced bouts of depression during her career before seeking therapy and professional support. Injuries, which forced her away from the sport she had played since childhood, were among the most difficult phases.
Also watch: Inside Sania Mirza's Hyderabad Home | Brut Sauce
Comebacks And Life After Motherhood
Sania Mirza played professional tennis from 2003 to 2023. One of her most meaningful moments came after becoming a mother, when she returned to competition and won her first tournament back in Hobart, Australia.
Although she had won bigger titles earlier, she described that victory as especially significant because it showed that motherhood did not have to end professional ambitions. She added that women often hold multiple identities at once, including being daughters, friends, professionals and mothers.
Parenting As A Public Figure
Sania Mirza also spoke about raising her son in the public eye, saying her goal was to keep his life as normal as possible.
Because both his parents are public figures, his experiences differ from many children. He often sees his parents on television and associates sports with large stadiums. Mirza said she balances this privilege by teaching him the value of hard work and encouraging open communication rather than fear-based parenting.
Why Many Sports In India Still Struggle
Despite India’s population of over 1.4 billion, Sania Mirza said very few people pursue professional sport because proper systems are missing. While cricket had a strong structure, many other sports do not.
In tennis, many parents don’t know how to guide children who want to play professionally and support systems remain limited.
Also watch: Decoding A World Champion: Shafali Verma
A Focus On The Next Generation
With her playing career over, Mirza shifted her focus towards mentoring young athletes. Her experience on the global tour gave her insight into the challenges that many promising players faced.
Through initiatives like The Next Set, she aims to help create stronger support systems and provide emerging athletes with the resources needed to compete internationally.
