Picture Credit: PTI
India's Tennis ace Sania Mirza is all set to participate in her fourth Olympic Games this year in Tokyo. The 34-year-old came agonizingly close to winning a medal at Rio Olympics in 2006 with Rohan Bopanna in mixed doubles event. The duo performed brilliantly in the Games and was on the cusp of securing a famous medal before losing out in the semis and bronze medal match, only to get their dreams shattered. Mirza termed that defeat as one of the most heart-breaking moments of her career and had thought of it to be the end of the road.
However, the 6-time Grand Slam champion will finally get another shot at the medal this year as she prepares to represent India in Tokyo. Mirza revealed that she is really looking forward to this year's Olympics and is really excited about featuring in her 4th Summer Games. She will play women's doubles with Ankita Raina, whom she is currently practising with in Hyderabad before they leave for Tokyo. However, Mirza revealed that her best chances lie in the mixed-doubles event if Rohan Bopanna gets in the mix.
Sania-Bopanna duo are India's best shot at medal in Tokyo
Reflecting on the heartbreaking loss in Rio, Mirza added that the experience will help the duo this year (if they play together). Notably, Rohan Bopanna's participation in the mixed doubles event with Sania is not yet confirmed.
Talking about the same in conversation with Times Now, Mirza said, "We are still hoping of Rohan Bopanna getting in the mix because that's where, realistically, the chances of our medal really lies... If that happens, we are in with a 50-50 shot."
I was told I can't play Tennis again: Sania Mirza
The 34-year-old also opened up on the hypocrisy of the society that tried to push her down after her pregnancy. "I like challenges, I put on 23 kilos when I got pregnant and I was told forget playing tennis, I won't ever become healthy or skinny," Mirza said. The tennis ace revealed that this is what motivated her to prove everyone wrong and get her way back into the game.
However, she admitted that most importantly, it's her love for the game and the opportunity to represent her country back-to-back, year-after-year which inspires her to keep going. Mirza concluded by saying that she feels humbled to have represented India in so many Olympics.