New Delhi: Tennis icon, Sania Mirza, a former World No.1 in doubles asserted Saturday that her first priority will be to return to the courts once her pregnancy is done with. However, she also said that commenting on her participation in the 2020 Olympic Games would be a little premature as the event is still quite far off.
“The 2020 Olympics is a long way off. I’ve said this many times that as tennis players, we wish we knew what tomorrow holds for us,” stated Sania in a telephonic conversation with this agency. “Having said that it definitely looks doable. But one has to wait and watch where life takes you. Most definitely, I would say returning to the courts and playing competitive tennis is my priority as soon as the pregnancy is done,” added the 31-year-old, who is due to deliver her first child in October.
Sania stated that starting a family has been in her mind for some time now. “It was just about time. I was down with my knee injury anyway and we (she and husband Shoaib Malik) had been thinking about it for a while. We thought it was a good time to start a family and experience this new phase of our lives,” informed Sania.
The tennis ace is suffering from a condition called jumper’s knee, which has kept her off the game for over six months. She even missed the Australian Open earlier this year. Sania, however, stated that the knee has improved.
“It definitely is better. I haven’t played since mid-October, so it has been a solid rest of six months and more. I won’t say it is perfect, but it’s better,” stated the player.
One of the most successful doubles exponents in the last decade or so, Sania asserted that motherhood won’t in any way impede her return to tennis.
“Pregnancy is not something that holds you back in any way. It’s very empowering and is something that is part of being a woman and it’s something I always looked forward to. having a family. I knew tennis is something that will take a backseat eventually. However, as of now, I am confident that I will be able to handle my career as well as motherhood,” asserted Sania.
She is also not letting weight woes worry her. “Weight is so superficial. For a woman, it’s all about embracing the pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, what’s most important is having a healthy baby. You are going to get bigger when you’re pregnant and you will lose the weight as long as you want to,” Sania pointed out.
indo-asian news service
My goal is obviously to come back and that’s the most important thing. It’s an example I’d like to set for my kid as well that you don’t give up on your dreams just because you’re pregnant
Sania Mirza
