Sania Mirza bowed out of the Ladies’ Doubles at Wimbledon, but is still alive in the Mixed Doubles, and hopes to do well there. Speaking after her doubles loss, Sania speaks about the match, how she feels about having to stop playing, her experience at Wimbledon, and much more:
Q) Can you talk about the match? You were in the driver’s seat at one point.
It was a good match. I guess we had a set and a break. That’s what happens on grass courts, when you’re a set and a break up, you’ve got to carry that momentum forward. Unfortunately, we were not able to do that. It is difficult when you’re playing against big servers.
That 1-0 game in the 2nd set really cost us. Because if you’re a set and 2-0 up, you’d probably be out of there in the next 20-30 mins (laughs). But that’s grass court tennis for you. On other courts, you have chances to break back if you’re broken early. But on grass, it’s not the same. In general, it was a good match. And we would have had won a lot of matches if we played the exact same way, but it was not to be.
Q) How does it feel to be playing in your last Wimbledon?
I’m still here. I’m still going to compete in the Mixed Doubles. So maybe it will sink in a bit more after the next few matches, hopefully. But Wimbledon is always really special, for any tennis player, not just me. I’ve had the privilege to play here for many years, and also win here. So it’s been a true honour to represent India at this stage for as many as years I have. I’m going to miss coming and competing, in general.
It’s time to move on. There are things that take priority over competing in and winning tennis matches. And that’s where I’m at in life right now. I’m a very practical person. It’s not sinking in yet. Maybe end of the year. Maybe if you ask me after the US Open, I’ll be more emotional about it (laughs).
Q) You’ve had Indians to come and cheer you wherever you play. How does that feel?
It’s always great to have Indians come out and cheer you. There’re especially a lot more of them in the UK. I’ve always said that there are so many of us and we are everywhere. I’ve always had great support whenever I’ve played here, or in New York, or in Australia even.
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