Sania says motherhood won’t end her career
NEW DELHI: After a career-pausing break and motherhood, will Sania Mirza bounce back to the tennis court for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
It’s a long way off, feels the former doubles World No.1 who says resuming her game is a priority as soon as the pregnancy is done. She wants to set an example that people shouldn’t give up dreams just because they’re pregnant.
Speaking about her knee injury, Sania said, “It definitely is. I haven’t played since midOctober, so it has been a solid six months and more. Rest was something everyone was recommending... So, I won’t say it’s perfect, but it’s better.”
Sania said she has hopes of competing at the 2020 Olympics.
“It definitely looks very doable right now. But one has to wait and watch where life really takes you. Most definitely, I would say coming back to playing is priority as soon as the pregnancy is done,” said the 31-year-old, who is due to deliver her first child in October.
“It’s all about embracing the pregnancy. It is not something that holds you back in any way. My goal is obviously to come back and that’s the most important thing. “Of course, my kid is
› ■ It’s all about embracing the pregnancy. My goal is obviously to come back SANIA MIRZA , on motherhood
very important in my life right now, but after that, I would like to come back to playing because 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.”
Overall, the star athlete is quite buoyed by the success of women in the global sports arena of late.
“It’s pretty incredible as we come from a culture where sports is not the first profession that people think of putting their child in... Things are obviously changing... There’s still a long way to go, but it has changed a lot, at least since I started playing tennis.
› It definitely looks very doable right now. But one has to wait and watch where life really takes you.