10 Interesting and Lesser Known Facts About Sania Mirza

Here are 10 interesting and lesser-known facts about Sania Mirza:

1. She Started as a Swimmer

Before taking up tennis, Sania Mirza was interested in swimming. However, she switched to tennis at the age of six under the guidance of her father.

2. Rejected by a Coach Early On

A tennis coach initially refused to train her, claiming she was “too small and weak” to play professional tennis. She later proved him wrong by becoming India’s most successful female tennis player.

3. Trained Under Famous Coaches

She trained under legendary Australian coach Tony Roche, who has worked with tennis greats like Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.

4. First Indian Woman to Win a WTA Title

In 2005, she became the first Indian woman to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title, at the Hyderabad Open.

5. Defeated Grand Slam Champions

Sania has beaten several top players, including Svetlana Kuznetsova, Martina Hingis, and Victoria Azarenka, who have all won Grand Slam singles titles.

6. Strongest Forehand in Women’s Tennis

Her powerful forehand was considered one of the best in women’s tennis, often compared to some of the hardest hitters in the game.

7. Only Indian Woman Ranked No. 1 in Doubles

Sania reached the World No. 1 ranking in women’s doubles in April 2015, becoming the first and only Indian woman to achieve this feat.

8. Featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People

In 2016, TIME magazine listed her among the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her impact on Indian sports and women’s empowerment.