NEW DELHI:President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated tennis star Sania Mirza for becoming the first Indian to win the Wimbledon women’s doubles title with her Swiss partner Martina Hingis.
“Well played Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza. You played wonderful tennis and registered a fantastic win at Wimbledon. We are proud and very happy,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
President Pranab Mukherjee said Saina’s triumph will inspire the youth of India, especially women.
“Please accept my hearty congratulations and best wishes on your winning the Wimbledon Grand Slam Women’s Doubles title along with Martina Hingis,” he said.
“As the first woman from India to clinch this Grand Slam title, you have set a new benchmark of success for Tennis players that will inspire the youth of India, especially women. The nation joins your family and you in celebrating this accomplishment,” the President added.
“I look forward to your winning for India many more such laurels in the future.”
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also congratulated the Indo-Swiss pair.
“Sania and Martina played some amazing tennis in the centre court and made a stunning comeback in the final set to win the coveted Grand Slam title. The duo truly deserved the victory. It was a true team effort,” the minister said.
“I am sure Sania Mirza’s win will inspire lot of budding players to reach the pinnacle of success. I once again congratulate Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis for their superb effort and making us proud,” he added.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also congratulated Sania for the Wimbledon triumph.
“Congratulations to Sania Mirza on becoming India’s first Wimbledon women’s doubles winner. She has created history & made India proud,” he tweeted.
Twelve years after turning Pro, 28-year-old Sania laid hands on her first women’s doubles Major title when she and Hingis battled past the second seeded Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7 7-6 (4) 7-5 in a thrilling final in London.
The trophy added to the list of firsts that Sania has against her name. She had become India’s first woman player to win a Grand Slam when she won the Australian Open mixed doubles title with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in 2009.
She later added the French Open (2012 with Bhupathi) and US Open (2014 with Bruno Soares) to her mixed doubles trophy collection. (AGENCIES)
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