Mumbai: Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has revealed that she struggled with depression at the height of her career due to personal life challenges.
Mirza shared her experiences in a recent interview, praising cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues for openly discussing her anxiety during the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final. Mirza said such candid conversations are vital to raising awareness about mental health issues.
“I realized the importance of mental health much later in life because I lacked awareness,” Mirza said. She added that over the past 8–10 years, society has begun to give mental health the attention it deserves, breaking previous misconceptions and stigma.
Mirza emphasized the responsibility of public figures to speak on topics often left unaddressed. “I am glad I spoke up. People like us, whose voices are more heard, have a duty to shed light on these issues,” she said.
Reflecting on her personal struggles, Mirza revealed, “There was a time when I was dealing with depression. Outside the tennis court, I faced numerous personal challenges, even at the peak of my career. Back then, I could not speak about it, but I am glad Jemimah has spoken openly.”
She noted that showing vulnerability while the world’s eyes are on you takes courage, especially during peak professional moments, and expressed empathy for Rodrigues.
Mirza hopes that Jemimah’s courage will encourage other athletes to understand that seeking help for mental health is not a weakness or a source of shame.