It is no easy feat for a woman in India to make a mark in any sport of their choice. Which is why, Sania Mirza’s phenomenal story deserves to be lauded and celebrated. To claim your rightful place in a man’s world is no easy feat. From people raising eyebrows at her ‘short skirts’ to issuing Fatwas against her for marrying a ‘Pakistani’, too much has been said and written about her, that was often never about her sport.
But she always responded, with astounding success and shut her critics up. Here are a few instances where we society tried to bring her down and she let her racquet do the talking.
A fatwa was issued against Sania Mirza for ‘disrespecting Islam’ by choosing to play in short skirts…
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… but she couldn’t care less and went on to become the first Indian woman to be seeded in a Grand Slam at the 2006 Australian Open.
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Sania Mirza was accused of ‘disrespecting’ the tri-colour, following which she decided to stop participating in Indian tournaments…
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… but she made an exception and represented India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where she won a silver medal.
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Many sneered at Mirza’s repeated bad performances because of a persisting wrist injury and then her broken engagement with Sohrab Mirza…
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… but she let her racquet do the talking and became the first Indian woman to break into the top 5 women’s doubles.
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Many took repeated digs at Mirza for marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, referring to her as ‘Pakistan’s daughter-in-law’ and questioned her Indian-ness…
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… but she continued to be the pride of India and represented the country at the 2012 London Olympics alongside Leander Paes.
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With little success on the International tour, Mirza was written off as a ‘married woman’…
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… but Sania fought the hardest when people wrote her off and went on to become the first Indian woman to become a WTA Doubles no. 1.
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For someone who has always worn her heart on her sleeve, her outspokenness has often been termed ‘arrogant’ by many…
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… but Sania continues to speak her mind and never minces her words, whether on the court or off it. From being a UN Goodwill Ambassador to promoting ‘safe sex’, Sania has always stood out for being herself.
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When everyone thought her career was almost over, Sania Mirza rose like a phoenix and went on to become World No.1. About time, we acknowledged the class with which the celebrity tennis player has handled her career.
More power to you, Sania!