Sania Mirza says that any Grand Slam title is special, and that she enjoyed every bit of her triumphant women’s doubles campaign with Martina Hingis at the Australian Open.
After beating Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in the final in Melbourne on Friday, Sania said she and Hingis were aware that they had to play the best tennis to overcome the Czech pair.
“We were confident, but it still meant that we had to put our best foot forward, for nothing comes easy at this level,” Sania said.
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“I think we played a great tie-break and stayed ahead from that point onwards.”
Asked if there was any anxiety when Hingis had to get medical attention on her shoulder after the first set, Sania replied: “No, she was not seriously injured. It was just another niggle that we tennis players are used to.”
This was Sania’s sixth Grand Slam title, and third in a row with Hingis.
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“The most important part is that we play well under pressure and get along famously on and off the court,” Sania said.
“I think besides being an amazing player on the circuit, Hingis is an amazing human being. It is a privilege to play with her.
“It is a great feeling to start off the year winning the first Grand Slam title, which, in a way, is consolidating our position as the World No. 1 pair,” said Sania.