Six time grand slam doubles champion Sania Mirza has announced her return to tennis after a two year absence.
The Indian tennis legend has missed the last two years due to taking time off to have a baby and after her son, Izhaan was born in October last year, Mirza has decided to return.
Speaking to local media, the six time grand slam champion will return in January to compete at the Hobart International Open and Australian Open, “I am playing in Hobart, then I am playing the Australian Open,” the Indian said.
“I’m planning to play a tournament in Mumbai, which is a $25k ITF event next month, but I am 50-50 about it. Let’s see how my wrist behaves. We’ll see, but Hobart and the Australian Open for sure.”
The 33 year-old will play with Ukrainian doubles player Nadiia Kichenok in Hobart before competing with Rajeev Ram in Mixed Doubles at the Australian Open.
Her last match was at the 2017 China Open when she and Shuai Peng lost to top seeds Latisha Chan and Martina Hingis in the semi-finals.
Speaking about her absence, Mirza has spoken about the changes that comes with being a parent, “Your routine and sleep patterns change,” Mirza said.
So much to be thankful for but most of all you my little sunshine 🙏🏽🙌🏽❤️🌞 #izzy pic.twitter.com/qKZRT8DVXm
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) November 29, 2019
“I feel fit, my body is where it used to be before I had the baby. It was only six or seven months ago that I though about returning as a realistic possibility. Of course, it will take me time to get to the level that I was playing at before, but it’s a good start for me to feel good physically.”
Mirza is a former doubles world number one and will look to return that form when she returns to the WTA Tour in 2020.
