News24
28 Nov 2019, 23:42 GMT+10
New Delh - Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Thursday announced her return to competitive tennis at the Hobart International in January, two years after taking a maternity break.
The 33-year-old, who last played at the China Open in October 2017, will team up with Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok - ranked 38 in the WTA doubles chart.
Mirza, who married former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, gave birth to her first child - a son the couple named Izhaan.
"I am playing in Hobart, then I am playing the Australian Open," Mirza was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.
"I am planning to play a tournament in Mumbai, which is a $25,000 (ITF women's event) next month, but I am 50-50 about it, so let's see how my wrist behaves. We will see, but Hobart and Australian Open (for sure)."
She added that she had experienced "a lot of change" after having a baby.
"Your routine and sleep pattern changes. I (now) feel fit, my body is where it used to be before I had the baby," Mirza said.
The Hobart WTA takes place between January 11-18 and is a key lead-in tournament to the Australian Open.
Mirza, regarded as India's best-ever women's tennis player, will partner American Rajeev Ram for the mixed doubles at the Australian Open.
Mirza in 2005 became the first Indian to win a WTA tournament singles title. She reached the fourth round of the US Open in the same year, and by 2007 was among the women's top 30.
But a wrist injury ended her singles dream and she focused on doubles tennis. A partnership with Swiss great Martina Hingis produced three Grand Slam titles.
Get a daily dose of Irish Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.
More InformationBERLIN, Germany: Germany has taken its first significant fiscal step to jumpstart its slowing economy. This week, the cabinet approved...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's army said on June 4 that its security forces raided a militant hideout and killed 14 insurgents during...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The United Nations General Assembly has elected five countries to join the Security Council starting January...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's new president, liberal Lee Jae-myung, took office on June 4 after a dramatic and chaotic few months....
LONDON, UK: As of this month, it's officially illegal to buy disposable vapes anywhere in the United Kingdom. The new ban, aimed...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's upcoming presidential election has turned into a messy battle full of personal insults and scandals...
DUBLIN, Ireland: A tourist tore out and ate the page of his passport containing his biometric data after attacking an immigration officer...
BERLIN, Germany: Germany has taken its first significant fiscal step to jumpstart its slowing economy. This week, the cabinet approved...
WASHINGTON, D.C. Forget bucket lists; this summer, it's all about budget lists. Amid economic uncertainty and a weaker dollar, Americans...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Digital Business Ireland (DBI) has asked the Government to do more to help Ireland's digital and tech sector. This...
LONDON, UK: As global tensions rise and Europe's defense posture shifts, the UK is ramping up its military readiness with a 1.5 billion...
BELFAST, Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman has received about 40 complaints of police predatory behavior since...