Sania Mirza Launches Initiative to Support Women Athletes

Six-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 doubles player Sania Mirza has announced the launch of The Next Set, an initiative aimed at supporting India’s leading and emerging women athletes. Conceived as a way to give back to the sport, the programme focuses on helping women athletes who are already competing at a high level and preparing them for the physical, mental, and logistical demands of professional sport.

The initiative will begin with tennis and follows a two-pronged approach. Its primary focus is to provide athletes with access to a dedicated support system, including coaches, physiotherapists, and fitness trainers who can travel with players during tournaments. This model is intended to improve coordination, consistency, and year-round preparation.

In addition, The Next Set will conduct focused tennis camps and coaching clinics led by Sania Mirza. These sessions will address key areas of athlete development, including technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and mental strength. Speaking about the initiative, Mirza said the project holds personal significance for her, shaped by her own experiences in the sport. She noted that timely guidance and mentorship can play a crucial role in an athlete’s career and expressed confidence in the depth of talent present in Indian women’s tennis. According to her, the right support systems can help players set higher goals and compete more effectively at the international level. Sania Mirza adds, “The Next Set is deeply personal to me. Having lived the highs and lows of my own journey in the sport, I know first-hand how transformative the right guidance and mentorship can be at the right time.Over the years in this journey that belief has only grown stronger. Indian women’s tennis has so much talent and I truly believe that with the right support system, our players can dream bigger and compete on the world stage. The Next Set is my way of giving back and helping create stronger pathways for the next generation.”