Sania Mirza inspires new moms to chase their dreams, wins Hobart International doubles title on pregnancy comeback

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Wilson Blade 9

Former doubles world No.1 Sania Mirza of India pulled off a spectacular return to competitive tennis, winning the Hobart International doubles title in her first tournament since becoming a mother.

Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza talks to the media at the 2020 Australian Open

The 33-year-old, who gave birth to son Izhaan in October 2018, is now sending a powerful message to women that a professional outlet away from their home life can give them mental clarity and help them feel good about themselves, while it doesn’t mean that they are not good moms if they dedicate some time to other things:

I feel especially in the part of the world that I come from, when women have a kid or kids, it’s treated as kind of an end of their world, it’s all about the children. I feel that women are made to feel if they go out and chase their dreams, they’re probably not the best mothers in the world.

I hope that changes. I hope that if my victory or even one match can inspire even one woman to follow her dream or heart, I would be really, really privileged.

Just three weeks after giving birth, Mirza started working on losing weight and she’s successfully shed 26 kilos. When her baby was about five months old, the WTA player started introducing tennis practices and gradually increasing their frequency.

Even though her baby sleeps in the same bed as her and still wakes up several times a night, Mirza manages to navigate her tennis career and has now won her 42nd doubles title in Hobart, her first tournament in over two years away from the tour. The Indian was teamed up with Ukrainian Nadiia Kichenok and they defeated second seeds Zhang Shuai and Peng Shuai 6-4 6-4 in the Hobart final.

Mirza will continue her comeback at the Australian Open, again partnered with Kichenok. The Indian won the Australian Open title in doubles competition in 2016 and mixed doubles in 2009.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Chrissie, she’s definitely back with Adidas. This photo is fresh, from the Australian Open. As for her SM line, I don’t have info, but it could well be that she has stopped it.

    Patsy Reid, you’re right, that’s been a major shift in the last 10 years, as a lot of players continue to stay competitive well into their 30s and after starting a family.

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