Six-time Grand Slam champion Sania retired from the game last month in Dubai<\/a>, where she donned the tennis attire for the final time in a competitive tournament.
In his congratulatory message to Sania, the PM conveyed that she has left an indelible mark on Indian sports, inspiring the coming generation of athletes.
Thanking PM Modi for this kind gesture, Sania posted the letter, dated March 9, on her Twitter handle: “I would like to thank you Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji for such kind and inspiring words .I have always taken great pride in representing our country to the best of my ability and will continue to do whatever I can to make India proud . Thank you for your support.”<\/p>\n
\nI would like to thank you Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji for such kind and inspiring words .I have alway\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/oyBH0HvSq9<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) 1678530152000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n“Tennis lovers will find it difficult to fathom that you will not be playing professionally now onwards,” Modi wrote in the letter.
“…..In your excellence, the world saw a glimpse of India’s sporting prowess. When you began playing, India’s tennis landscape was very different. What you did was to illustrate that more women can pursue tennis and excel in it.
“But, beyond that, your success also gave strength to several other women who wanted to pursue a career in sports but for some reason or the other were hesitant to do so,” wrote the PM.
The PM wrote that Sania’s success filled every Indians’ heart with pride.<\/p>\n
\n\nSix-time major champion 🏆Former doubles World No.1 🌟Congrats on a fantastic career, @MirzaSania 💜#ThankYouSania https:\/\/t.co\/7mXdiu86dQ<\/p>\n
\u2014 wta (@WTA) 1676993117000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n“When you announced a ‘Life Update’ on 13th January, you wonderfully expressed your journey from a six-year-old who had to literally fight her way to the (tennis) courts to a world class tennis player in the subsequent years. “You wrote about how the biggest honour for you has been to win medals for India. I can say that you are India’s pride, whose success has filled hearts and minds of every Indian with utmost joy,” Modi wrote.
The PM also recollected the time Sania went through a tumultuous phase, when a wrist injury almost jeopardised her career, before she emerged a strong double player.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“Due to twists of fate, you had to cope with injuries but these setbacks only strengthened your resolve and you overcame these challenges with flying colours.”
Modi hoped Sania would continue mentoring young sports talent.
Sania was recently appointed mentor of Women’s Premier League (WPL) side Royal Challengers Bangalore<\/a>.<\/div>\n