‘Only Loved Ones Matter’: Sania Mirza’s Powerful Message on Rising Above Online Hate

Tennis legend Sania Mirza offered a masterclass in handling online trolls during a fireside chat with Indian women’s cricketer Richa Ghosh at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 on Thursday, declaring that “social media cannot make or break your day.” The six-time Grand Slam champion, who rose to fame when electronic media and tabloids were just emerging, said relentless scrutiny made her “very thick-skinned”.

“I actually find it quite humorous that people who have never held a tennis racket can have such a big opinion about what you do professionally,” Mirza said. “I feel really sad for them sometimes—you must be really unhappy with your life to hate someone you’ve never met who’s trying to represent the country at the highest level.” Her advice was simple: “Don’t take the good to heart, and don’t take the bad to heart. What can make or break your day is what the people you love feel about you.”

Also Read: Ex-Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif Lauds India’s Win, Says it Will Uplift Girls Facing Restrictions

Richa Ghosh, who grew up in the full glare of social media, offered a different but equally positive take. “I take criticism very positively because earlier in women’s cricket we didn’t have that many followers or fans,” the wicketkeeper-batter said. “Now, as the numbers grow, the criticism will also grow. The bigger we get, the more people come to watch—so I see it as a sign that women’s cricket is finally being noticed.”

The session, moderated by Sports Presenter Mayanti Langer at the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit themed “Futurise”, highlighted the evolving pressures on India’s top women athletes in the digital age.

Also Read: Richa Ghosh Bats Through Painful Hairline Fracture to Shine in Women’s World Cup 2025 Knockouts