Indian tennis icon and six-time Grand Slam champion Sania Mirza has launched a new initiative titled The Next Set, aimed at supporting India’s top and emerging women athletes by providing structured and professional backing. The programme reflects Mirza’s long-stated desire to give back to the sporting ecosystem that shaped her career and to address persistent gaps faced by women athletes beyond raw talent.
The Next Set is designed to focus on athletes who are already competing at a high level but require consistent support systems to translate potential into sustained performance. According to Mirza, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between talent and results by creating a dependable ecosystem that nurtures athletes holistically, rather than focusing solely on competition outcomes.
The programme is expected to offer guidance in key areas such as physical training, mental conditioning, access to expert mentorship, and long-term career planning. By addressing both on-field and off-field challenges, the initiative aims to help athletes manage the pressures of elite sport while preparing them for longevity and stability in their careers.
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Mirza’s own journey as one of India’s most successful and recognisable athletes has given her firsthand insight into the structural and psychological challenges faced by women in sport. Over the years, she has spoken openly about the lack of sustained institutional support, particularly during critical phases of an athlete’s development, which often determines whether talent flourishes or fades.
With The Next Set, Mirza hopes to create a support model that complements existing sports systems rather than replacing them. The initiative is positioned as a collaborative effort, bringing together professionals from various domains to build a more reliable framework for athlete growth.
The launch of The Next Set marks another chapter in Mirza’s post-retirement engagement with Indian sport, reinforcing her role not just as a champion athlete but also as an advocate for systemic change aimed at empowering the next generation of women athletes.
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