"What Happens Next Will Be A Bonus": Sania Mirza Talks About The Possible Return Of 2020

Sania Mirza, one of the best Indian athletes in terms of international victories, is contemplating returning by January 2020, but has not set goals for herself, saying that what happens in her second inning would be a "bonus." Sania Mirza, 32, would seek to return more than two years after the birth of her son and is training vigorously for approximately four hours a day and has lost 26 kilos in the process. "In my career, I have achieved everything I could have dreamed of. And what happens next will be an advantage for me," Sania told PTI in an interview.
Before saying goodbye to the circuit to start a family, Sania won six double Grand Slam titles, including three mixed ones, achieved the number one rank, won medals in multidisciplinary events in addition to imposing a final year-end WTA title with the grand Switzerland Martina Hingis.
"I thought I could come back in August, but probably in January, it seems like a possibility," Sania said.
"Having (son) Izhan is the greatest blessing I could have. If I can come back, it will be amazing. He is my inspiration to get back in shape. If I go back, it won't be to prove anything. The only reason to come back would be that I love it play and compete. "
But why the "yes"? Still not decided.
"I say it because I still have to see how my body reacts. The image will be clear in the next two months. I don't want to compete when I'm not ready. It makes no sense to come back and get injured."
Not many tennis players have succeeded after motherhood. Only Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters have won a singles career after giving birth to their children.
In the current generation, only a few are among the first 50 after becoming mothers. But the great American Serena Williams remains a fierce competitor in the world number nine after becoming a mother.
Then there is Victoria Azarenka, who is in the top 50 in singles and doubles, after giving birth to baby Leo.
"There is enough self-motivation to return, but it's nice to see people like Serena competing in Grand Slams after having a baby. It's obviously very inspiring," Sania said.
Extending on the time it has taken to plan her return, Sania said that a previous knee problem still bothers her and that she needs more time to compete in the physically demanding professional circuit.

"I have been able to be as strong as before, which is great. But I still have a bit of a problem in my knee. It hasn't disappeared completely. I had this knee injury even before I got pregnant, that's why there was stopped playing at the end of 2017. Not bad, but still there, persistent. "
However, she did not disclose exactly what the injury is.
"I don't want to get into the problems I have with my knee, but before they operated on my knee."
Speaking about his training and results, Sania said: "I train about three or four hours a day in two sessions with exercise and with tennis is more than that. Initially, the focus was on losing weight, but now I return to the same rigorous sessions I was having before, "he said.
"I didn't know how the body would react. You can't really anticipate after giving birth to a baby. I gained 23 kilos, I lost 26 kilos now. I'm trying to be strong and play internationally."
Sania, who worked with his Australian coach Robert for a few months in Dubai, also said that no results-oriented goal will be set. "There is no goal. Whatever happens in life here, re-classifying tennis will be just an advantage. Once I return, I will see what my position as an athlete is. Right now, I just want to go back."
"The expectations are high, as always, but I haven't played tennis in the last two years. If I can go back, Tokyo (Olympic Games) is something I'm seeing."

By: Preeti Narula
Content: https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/sania-mirza-comeback-likely-in-2020-says-second-inning-would-be-a-bonus-2078778