Exercising Helped Me Not To Get Into Postpartum Depression: Sania Mirza Prepares For Tokyo Olympics

Tennis star Sania Mirza is planning to represent India at Tokyo Olympics 2021. Currently juggling many roles, she is single-handedly taking care of her boy Izhaan as she and husband Shoaib Malik are currently in different countries. Attending an 'Airbnb zoom session' on Tuesday, she talked about her comeback tactics for the Tokyo Olympics and also her journey of motherhood and fitness. She shared how tennis has helped stay away from postpartum depression and how she lost the weight gained during pregnancy. Being a mother, wife, daughter as well and preparing for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics is not an easy task but Sania is determined to represent India at Olympics 2021.

Sania, who put on 23 kg when she was pregnant, has revealed that once she started preparing for her comeback to tennis, she lost 26 kgs in just four months - losing two kilograms per week. "It showed me mental strength, what it took for me to not eat a samosa when everyone else and it was all worth it when I see it now. It's important to take out 20-30 minutes in a day for a workout," the six-time Grand Slam champion explained, adding that the various kinds of exercising also helped her deal with postpartum depression.

What You Should Know

• Sania Mirza is preparing for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics that is scheduled for next year.
• She has been away from the sport for more than two years taking care of her son Izhaan.
• Sania has had an illustrious career as she has achieved path-breaking honours. She shared her journey of motherhood and fitness with fans recently.
• "The exercising also helped me not to get into postpartum depression and all," said Sania Mirza.

Earlier this year, Sania Mirza made a rocking comeback and lifted the WTA Hobart International Trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok after almost a two-year of maternity break. The 33-year-old missed the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons after giving birth to her son. Sania has had an illustrious career as she has achieved path-breaking honours. "I am a bit of an internal rebel because if somebody tells me I can't do something, then I have to," News18 reported.

Sania Mirza Targets Tokyo Olympics

Aiming to be back on the court again for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Sania Mirza who was the former world number one shared that the postponement of the big games works in her favour. "Losing in the Olympics in Rio was one of the most heartbreaking moments in my life, I didn't think I would play another Olympics. But when I was making a comeback, I thought I could play in the Olympics and try and win a medal. One and a half years is a long time in an athlete's life and we can't stop age. I will be 34 next year and hopefully I am as healthy," Sania reflected.

Before pregnancy, Sania won six doubles Grand Slam titles — including three mixed —achieved the number one rank.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, Sania was rigorously travelling for tournaments. She took a 16-hour flight from Dubai after the historic Fed Cup win. And, then she travelled by road for another three hours to reach Indian Wells, only to get the news that all tennis tournaments have been cancelled. “I had to do a lot of juggling of roles - being a mother, wife, daughter, tennis player. I had to overcome physical adversity and also stay mentally focussed. Honestly, I never went into any sort of depression,” she said.

Also Read: How Are Indian Sportswomen Spending Time While Social Distancing

Failing is part of the journey

On dealing with failure, the former World No. 1 in women’s doubles Mirza said, “You should always believe that there will be another day which can be yours. As in sport where you always have the next match, in life too, there is always the other side after a failure," Sportstar reported.

Mental well-being is necessary

Talking about how this staying apart situation is hard on both her and Shoaib, Sania explained, "I do a bit of work with a psychologist and that helps me stay calm. Both me and my husband are in high-pressure environment and imagine both of us have had a bad day and come back to the same house, there needs to be sanity. So, I take help with a psychologist for things like that."

"Having a close-knit family helps in mental well-being. You should know your roots and where you are in life, that helps."

Also Read: 'I am a Bit of an Internal Rebel' - Sania Mirza Shows How She Lost 26kgs in 4 Months

"I come from a family of two girls and my parents have let us do things on our own and make our own mistakes. Sometimes they know something we are doing is wrong but they have let us do them and learn from it," Sania shared.

Recently, the 33-year-old ace tennis player became the first Indian to win the Fed Cup Heart Award for her successful return to the court post motherhood. She donated the prize money to the Telangana CM relief fund.

Also Read:The Gender Pay Gap In Sport: Why We Must Talk About It

Feature Image Credit: sportsrediscovered.com

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