Sania Mirza, who has a reputation for challenging conventions, was the first Indian player to win a WTA singles title, achieving this milestone in 2005 in her hometown of Hyderabad. In 2005, she also made it to the fourth round of the US Open and by 2007, she was ranked among the top 30 female players in the world.
The tennis star who bid farewell to the sports earlier this month was overwhelmed with emotions while giving a speech as she bowed out of her Grand Slam career. Sania and her partner Rohan Bopanna lost in the mixed-doubles final of the Australian Open on Friday, marking Mirza's exit from Grand Slam tennis. Bopanna was Mirza's first doubles partner 22 years ago.
But she and 42-year-old Bopanna were unable to get over the line, losing 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 to Brazilian pair Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos. The 36-year-old athlete, who played her first Grand Slam 18 years ago, is in Australia for the last Australian Open event of her career.
Speaking during her farewell speech, Sania couldn't control her emotions and said: "I just want to start with that if I cry, these are happy tears and not sad tears so that’s just a disclaimer."
Rohan was my first-ever mixed-doubles partner at (aged) 14 and we won the nationals,” said Mirza, a six-time Grand Slam champion, three in doubles and three in mixed. It was a long time ago, 22 years ago, and I couldn’t think of a better person — he’s one of my best friends and best partners — to finish my career here and to play the final. There’s no better place for me, or person for me, to finish my Grand Slam career.”
The tennis star shed a light on her career, saying that the journey of her professional career started in Melbourne.
"It started in Melbourne in 2005 when I played Serena Williams in the third round here as an 18-year-old, and that was scarily enough 18 years ago," she said. "I've had the privilege to come back here again and again and win some tournaments here and play some great finals amongst you all and this Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life, and I couldn't think of a better arena to finish my career at in a Grand Slam. Thank you so much for making me feel at home here
It wasn't the same arena as this one, but it was a long time ago. It was 22 years ago, and I couldn't think of a better person. He's one of my best friends and one of my best partners to finish my career here and to play the final. Obviously, we couldn't get over the line but there's no better place for me and a person for me to finish my Grand Slam career. So thank you, Rohan, for playing."
Sania said that her family and team is there with her. " I never thought that I would be able to play in front of my child in a Grand Slam finals, so it's truly special for me to have my four-year-old here, and my parents here and Rohan's wife here, Scotty, everyone, my trainers, my family from Australia, who made me feel like a home away from home." The star thanked everyone for their support. "Thank you so much for all the support all week guys and all my life, really. It's been truly, truly special and I wouldn't have achieved anything without each and every single one of you," said Sania.
Concluding her speech, she said: "Thank you very much for everything and thank you, Australia for making me feel at home."
She is due to retire from all tennis after a tournament next month in Dubai, where she has lived for more than a decade and recently launched a tennis academy.
Mirza is currently hosting "The Mirza Malik Show" along with her husband Shoaib Malik on Urduflix.
Pakistani rupee remained stable against the US dollar, and other currencies in the open market on Friday.
On Friday, the US dollar remained stable and was being quoted at 283.2 for buying and 286.15 for selling.
Euro comes down to 308 for buying and 311 for selling. British Pound rate dropped to 358.5 for buying, and 362 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED witnessed slight drop and new rate stands at 77.4 whereas the Saudi Riyal remained stable at 76.
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 283.2 | 286.15 |
Euro | EUR | 308 | 311 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 358.5 | 362 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 77.4 | 78.1 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 76 | 76.8 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.2 | 189 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 757.23 | 765.23 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 209 | 211 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.89 | 40.29 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.19 | 41.59 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.41 | 36.71 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.42 | 3.53 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.39 | 1.45 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 921.71 | 930.71 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 61.02 | 61.62 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 174.54 | 176.54 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.05 | 26.35 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 739.62 | 747.62 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 78.22 | 78.92 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 211 | 213 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 27.12 | 27.42 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 324.94 | 327.44 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.06 | 8.21 |
Gold price in Pakistan increased as the yellow metal witnessed an upward trend in the international market.
On Friday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,400 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,390.
Single tola of 22 Karat Gold costs Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for per tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate is Rs163,050 each tola.
In the global market, gold prices hover at around $2026, gaining $8.30 on Friday.
Today Gold Price in Pakistan (8 December 2023)
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Karachi | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Islamabad | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Peshawar | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Quetta | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Sialkot | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Attock | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Gujranwala | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Jehlum | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Multan | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Gujrat | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Nawabshah | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Chakwal | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Hyderabad | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Nowshehra | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Sargodha | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Faisalabad | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Mirpur | PKR 217,400 | PKR 2,583 |
Copyright ©2023. Reproduction of this website's content without express written permission from 'Daily Pakistan' is strictly prohibited.