Tennis star Sania Mirza has been appointed as the mentor of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League.
Sania is the first Indian woman to win a major title (six in women’s doubles and mixed doubles), is expected to join the squad after the ATP Dubai Open, which is likely to be her final professional tournament.
The 36-year-old announced her retirement from professional tennis before the Australian Open, where she and her partner Rohan Bopanna finished second in the mixed doubles.
“I was surprised, but excited. I want to persuade young girls that sports can be one of their first career options. I want to inspire the next generation to believe that no matter how long the odds are stacked against them, they can achieve their dreams,” said Sania.
Mirza was especially excited about working with the super young Indian players and assisting them in dealing with pressure.
“I’m looking forward to working with the younger girls on the mental aspect of it. I believe I can [assist in] bringing mental steadiness, mental belief, and I can speak of the experiences I’ve had over 20 years of playing. Being the only [Indian] woman doing it for so long has been lonely, but the pressure has been intense, and that is something I can truly assist with,” she added.
The tournament will kick off on March 4, RCB will begin their campaign against the Delhi Capitals on March 5 at Brabourne Stadium.
