Sania Mirza: Another feather in her cap

Sania Mirza: Another feather in her cap

Sania Mirza, the Indian tennis ace and youth icon has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award for her contribution to tennis on the eve of the Republic Day on Wednesday. The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in India. The 19 year old tennis star was one of the six sportspersons on the list of Padma awardees announced by the Centre.

Sania Mirza is now among the youngest receipents of the Padma Shri award. Mirza was thrilled to hear the news. She said, "It’s a great honour and honestly I never expected it. I feel proud about this and once again reiterate that I will do my best to live up to the huge expectations."

Sania Mirza is the first Indian women tennis player to break in the top 50. She is currently ranked 32nd in the WTA ranking. She reached the 3rd round in the australian Open in 2005 and quickly made her presence felt as a upcoming star in the tennis circuit. She also became the first Indian woman to win a WTA event when she won the Hyderabad Open in 2005.

Sania Mirza though has not had the brightest of starts this year in context to her tennis results. She bowed out in the second round of the singles of the Australian Open and the doubles and the mixed doubles results were not good either. Hopefully this award would uplift her spirits for the upcoming events.