Following her triumph in the doubles at the Australian Open, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza said it was an unreal feeling to win three Grand Slam titles in a row.
Sania and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis had tamed the spirited Czech duo of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-6(1), 6-3 in straight sets to win the doubles title on Friday, for their 36th win in a row.
"It’s an unreal feeling. We haven’t lost a match in a long time but also to win three grand slams in a row…it’s what really dreams are made of and I am really excited. It was a perfect way to start the year. We feel really happy. Three slams in a row, who would have thought? I am taking a couple of days off before going to Fed Cup in Thailand," said Sania after her arrival in Hyderabad on Sunday.
“Nothing is certain. We still have to go out there and give our best and try and play the best that we can. Fortunately we have been able to do this for so many months and the whole year has been incredible -- but the last six months especially. So we are going to keep trying to do that. I think we all know, in sports everyone loses, and at some point we are going to lose and until we lose we are going to try and enjoy this streak.
"I will leave for Delhi and then for Thailand for Fed Cup and then go to St Petersburg," she said.
The Aus Open crown was their third consecutive Grand Slam title for Sania and Martina, having won the Wimbledon and US Open in 2015.
In an incredible feat, Sania and Martina have now extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches, winning eight titles in a row.
On her winning the Padma Bhushan, Sania said "I am very honoured and I hope I can be here in the country (to receive the award) and it would be amazing. I was here for the Khel Ratna and hopefully I can be here. It’s a great honour for me and I feel privileged."