Sania Mirza does not need introduction. She has won the top honour for excellence in sports in India, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. The Government of India has announced the Khel Ratna award for Sania Mirza on 12th August 2015. She has been ranked world No.1 in women doubles tennis. Here is the brief profile of Sania Mirza.
Sania Mirza was born on 15th November 1986 in Mumbai and brought up in Hyderabad. She is from a Sunni Muslim family. Her height is 173 cm. She studied in Nasr School, Khairatabad and St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad. She is a right handed tennis player.
Sania’s father , Imran Mirza is a builder and mother Naseema is in business. Sania Mirza took up the career of tennis at the age of six years. She is a distant relative of former cricketers Ghulam Ahmed (India) and Asif Iqbal (India). She was trained by her father and Roger Anderson.
Sania Mirza has won several glories throughout her career. She recorded her career best womens singles ranking of 27 in August 2007. She quit the singles tournaments from 2013 due to injuries and concentrated on doubles. She won 27 WTA doubles titles in her career and ranked world number 1 since 13 April 2015.
Sania Mirza came into limelight with 2005 Australian Open when she reached the third round of the Australian Open at the age of 19 years. She was defeated by Serena Williams in that tournament. Sania Mirza became the first Indian woman tennis played to win a WTA title by winning 2005 AP Tourism Hyderabad Open at Hyderabad. She got Padmasri Award in 2006.
Sania Mirza is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. She was criticized by several right-wing elements and some even referred to her as Pakistan’s daughter-in-law and question her representation on behalf of India. The Government of Telangana has appointed her as official state ambassador. She is also running a tennis academy in Hyderabad.