Exclusive/ 'We Have Come Far': Sania Mirza Narrates Inspirational Tale Of Being A Female Athlete At Republic Plenary Summit 2025

Former Indian tennis player Sania Mirza graced the Republic Plenary Summit 2025 on Thursday. A winner of six major titles in his esteemed tennis career, Sania Mirza happens to be one of the most decorated athletes in Indian history. In a conversation at the Republic Plenary Summit 2025, she opened up on various aspects of life.

How it all started and what drove you?

Thirty-two years ago, when my parents said that we want our child to play a sport, Boy or girl doesn't matter. I'd have played cricket if I were a boy. I used to skate, I used to swim, I was a lot better in tennis. My mom had to fight the coach for him to take me in. I used to be too small. My mom said I don't care, I want her to play.

Also Read: Republic Plenary Summit 2025: Anil Kumble Talks About Failing More Than 30,000 Times While Recalling His Biggest Achievement

Who were your role models?

I didn't have any role models. Because the only female athlete close to home I could look up to was PT Usha. We didn't really know what she looked like. Later Steffi Graf became my role-model, I tried to emulate her. Today our young girls have so many female role models to look up to. Now we have Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Dipa Karmakar. We have come far as a nation, as far as female athletes are concerned.

Also Read: 'We Should Be Proud Of Our Roots': Anil Kumble Emphasizes On The Importance On Nationalism At Republic Plenary Summit

What are the things you'd like to impart to people who see you as role models?

We have enough people to tell us we can't do things, we only need our parents to trust us. When you have your parents by your side, the confidence that you feel, that is something I was lucky to have. I'd urge the parent to back their girls and not be afraid. I was playing on a court made out of cow dung. But here we are, we got to win the Wimbledon.

The Republic Plenary Summit is proudly presented by RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, with JAC Olivol as the Co-Presenting Partner. The summit is Co-Powered by Canara Bank, Radico, Apollo Hospitals, Reliance Digital, Ravin Group, and Rungta Steel. We are honoured to have Reva University as our Knowledge Partner and Wildstone as our Hackathon Partner.

Designed for the elite, the Ladurée Lounge stands out as the premier VVIP sanctuary at the Republic Plenary Summit.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Associate Sponsors - BlueStar and Muthoot Finance, as well as our Prayer Partner - Parimal Agarbatti. Special thanks to our State Partners, including the Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam , Haryana , and Nandini Mill.

We are also grateful to our Insurance Partner - LIC, Luxury Partner - Da Milano, Wardrobe Partner - Pall Mall, and our Literary Partner - National Book Trust.

Thank you to all our partners for their invaluable support in making this summit a success.