Former tennis champion Sania Mirza emphasized that money and fame are merely luxuries, underscoring the importance of people who support you through life’s challenges.

“In life, what truly matters isn’t money, fame, or material things. They’re luxuries. What’s crucial is having people who stand by you during tough times,” Sania told BBC News Urdu.

Addressing a previous comment where she mentioned “losing touch with reality,” Sania highlighted the importance of having people who give honest feedback amidst praise.

“It’s essential to stay grounded and understand what truly matters to you and who matters to you,” she remarked.

Reflecting on her decision to retire at her peak, Sania cited health concerns as a significant factor. “After three surgeries and becoming a mother, my recovery wasn’t the same.”

She pointed out that people often only see the glory of reaching a Grand Slam final without understanding the challenges faced behind the scenes.

Discussing personal growth over the past decade, Sania credited motherhood for teaching her patience. “Becoming a mother leaves you no choice but to be patient,” she said, admitting she used to be more impulsive.

Sania believes the lessons from sportsmanship are invaluable. “The resilience I learned from sports is unmatched. Both in sports and life, you have ups and downs, wins and losses. The key is to keep trying to better yourself,” she added.

She concluded by saying that her sporting experiences have taught her that bad days are temporary, and good days can be prolonged with effort.