Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has no qualms about living life on her own terms. Many consider Sania to be a trend-setter, while some call her a breaker of shackles. However, Sania herself does not agree with these things. She believes that she just wants to live life ‘on her own terms’. Sania has achieved astonishing success in tennis which is nowhere near any other Indian female tennis player.
Even if we look at the current players, no one is seeing the potential to achieve Sania’s success in the near future. Sania has led an inspiring life. Speaking to PTI at her residence in Dubai, Sania said society should accept differences and not project anyone as a “villain or a hero” for those who dare to act in their own way. Should be avoided.
Sania, who has announced her retirement from international tennis, said, “I don’t think I have broken any rules or restrictions. Who are these people who are making these rules and who are these people who are creating ideals. And every person should have the freedom to be different.
The 36-year-old Indian player said, “I think as a society this is where we can probably do better. We should not praise or badmouth people just because they are doing something different.” Sania said, ”We all talk in different ways, we all have different opinions. I think once we all accept that we are all different, we can live with those differences instead of breaking the rules.
Having won six Grand Slam doubles titles and the year-end WTA Championships trophy, as well as a career-best singles ranking of No. 27, Sania is, if not a ‘trend-setter’, then what is she? Sania said, “I try to be honest with myself. That’s what I’ve tried to do. I have tried to be true to myself. And I have tried to live life on my own terms. “He said,” I think everyone should be able to do that and have the freedom to do that. It should not be said to anyone that you are setting new standards. You are breaking the rules because you are doing something you want to do.
The veteran player said, “It is something that I am very proud of because it is not necessary that I stand out from others. I might be different for you, but that doesn’t mean I’m a rebel, or breaking any kind of rules. Athletes had to struggle for acceptance and recognition. They were also not considered fit to pursue a career in sports and if one was from a Muslim family, there were more difficulties.
Sania said that not supporting women athletes is not just limited to Muslim families. “I don’t think it is only an issue of the Muslim community. This problem is in the subcontinent itself. If this was not the case, we would have seen a lot more young women from all communities playing. “You would have heard Mary Kom also saying that people did not want her to take up boxing. Actually it has nothing to do with any community. I come from a family that was way ahead of its time, which inspired their young girl to take up tennis.
At that time tennis which was a sport that was unheard of in Hyderabad and then to dream of playing in Wimbledon was unimaginable. Was there any pressure or not? But he didn’t let me feel that pressure. They kept me safe, I didn’t really understand much of it until I was a bit older.”
Sania said, “I had heard whispers here and there from my uncle and aunt that ‘what will happen if you turn black because of playing, how will you get married’. Any girl in the subcontinent can tell these things.” “A young woman is considered complete only when she looks good or looks a certain way, gets married, has a child,” she said. It happens. There is a mindset that only after these things a girl becomes complete.
Sania said, “After becoming a mother, I returned to sports because I wanted to show that even after becoming a mother, you can be a champion and live life with freedom.” Doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice parts of your life. You cannot be a mother, wife or daughter. You can still become a champion after doing this.
