Today is National Sports Day, and Her Circle celebrates a legend with this special cover. Some icons break records. Others change the game forever. Six Grand Slam titles. Former World No. 1 in doubles. The first Indian woman to break into the world’s top 30 in singles. Somewhere between global tournaments, motherhood, and mentoring the next generation, Sania Mirza became an inspiration for millions of young girls who now see the court as their own.
Our cover is about the legacy she has built – a legacy where a woman can serve aces and smash glass ceilings at the same time. For us, she’s not just a champion of sport but a champion of possibility. She proves that greatness evolves, inspires, and multiplies. Meet our August cover icon, Sania Mirza, an inspiration for every girl ready to take her shot.
Outfit: Ikat T-shirt: Nor Black Nor White; Trousers: Sensing; Shoes: Comet; Enamel Bracelet: Mina Jaipur; Layered Bracelet: Araiya by Aza; Earrings: Origem India
“No matter what you choose, there will be more people saying you can’t do it than you can.” For Sania, legacy isn’t just measured in trophies. It’s about shifting mindsets, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for women in sports.
In this exclusive Her Circle interview, Sania Mirza talks about her purpose beyond medals, the responsibility of being a role model, and why self-belief is non-negotiable, even when the odds are against you. She shares her thoughts on speaking her mind without fear, the bigger purpose behind her journey, how motherhood has reshaped her priorities, and why building champions of tomorrow is now her mission.
When Sania first stepped onto the world’s biggest tennis courts, she was playing for every young girl in India who had ever picked up a racket and dared to dream. Today, as one of the most celebrated athletes in the country’s history, her vision is bigger than ever.
Outfit:Jacket- Boito; Skirt- Erode; Shoes- Onitsuka Tiger; Earrings & Cuff- Mina Jaipur; Layered Bracelet- Araiya by Aza
For Sania, responsibility means making sure her journey opens doors for many more. Through her tennis academy, she’s creating a platform for the next generation – where talent meets world-class training, and young players learn that they belong on the biggest stages.
Her legacy is not just about titles and records; it’s about the ripple effect of confidence, opportunity, and ambition she leaves behind.
Outfit: Co-ord Set- Namrata Joshipura; Tank Top- Sensing; Shoes- Vezzo; Earrings- Tribe Amrapali
As she says, “We wanted to give today’s kids a strong base. This is our family’s small way of giving back to the sport, the country, and the state that’s given us so much. An opportunity where kids can chase their dreams without feeling they’re out of reach.”
Her journey started on courts made of cow dung, where she was often laughed at. From those humble beginnings to Wimbledon, Sania’s story is built on grit, belief, and purpose.
The laughter she once heard has turned into applause. But her mission stays the same: to inspire others to break barriers, dream without limits, and carry forward a legacy of strength and integrity.
Cover Credits
CEO & Editor-in-Chief: Tanya Chaitanya
Interviewed By: Iona Chatterjee
Art Director: Sameer More
Photographer: Avinash Gowariker:
Stylist: Sonali Valecha
Videographers: Harish Iyer, Hitesh Naik, Yash Bedi
Makeup: Ajay Vishwasrao
Hair: Susan Emmanuel
Styling Assistant: Asmi Gupta
On Location Support: Shammi Mondal, Deepa Chavan, Alkesh Kadam
Shoot Production: Nafromax Productions
Sania’s PR Team: Think Talkies