Sania Mirza, who won her third Grand Slam mixed doubles title on Friday, winning the US Open crown with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, said she was glad to stick together with her partner in a pressure situation.
"Any Grand Slam final comes down to a lot of nerves. It is not so much about tennis. I'm glad we stuck together.
"We tried to stay positive. We held our nerves and emerged victorious," Mirza told NDTV on Sunday.
Mirza and Soares defeated American Abigail Spears and Mexico's Santiago Gonazalez 6-1, 2-6, 11-9.
Twenty-seven-year-old Mirza said she had to reset her goals after suffering a spate of injuries.
"I have spent seven of the last eight years being in the top 100. I used to play seven to 8 matches a week but my body could not take it after three surgeries," explained Mirza on why she had to relook at her singles career.
Before embarking on the US Open, Mirza was in the midst of a controversy. She was named ambassador for Telangana, India's new state and her 'Indianness' was questioned by certain quarters.
Mirza had broken down on an NDTV interview, visibly upset at people questioning her dedication to India simply because she was married to former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik. After her triumph on Friday, Mirza dedicated it to the state of Telengana but she clarified, there was no political intention.
"I really do not want to look back. I dedicated the win to India and the state of Telengena. It came from my heart. I don't hold grudges. I am really happy after I became the ambassador for Telengena, I won the first tournament I played," Mirza said.
Mirza said she would want to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not for any agenda, but for the sheer honour of it.
Source: NDTV
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