Sania Mirza is all set to kickstart her season tomorrow

After a two-year-long hiatus from the world of tennis, six-time Grand Slam Champion and former Doubles World No. 1, Sania Mirza is all set to make a comeback to the competitive circuit at the Hobart International 2020. Set in the Tasmanian capital city, Mirza has been a frequent visitor to the outdoor hard courts at the Hobart International Tennis Centre. India's one true women's tennis prodigy, Sania Mirza has been shouldering the hopes of countless tennis fans throughout her illustrious career which looked to be on the verge of an end for the last year and a half. Brushing aside such worries, Mirza will begin her comeback campaign alongside Ukraine’s Nadiia Kichenok and has paired up with American Rajeev Ram in the mixed doubles category, for the January 13-18 WTA tournament.

It hasn't been a very easy last couple of years for the 33-year-old tennis superstar as she was plagued by a knee injury in October 2017 which caused her to briefly bid goodbye to the beloved courts. Soon after, Mirza was pregnant and had to sit out in 2018 and 2019 completely. With the arrival of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Mirza's son, Izhaan, there were new responsibilities that crowded the 6-time Grand Slam Champion. With parenting duties knocking on her doors and a post-partum body to tend to, Mirza was initially sceptical if she can make a comeback.

In an interview with WTA Tennis, Mirza had said, “I was like, sure, if I do find the inspiration and motivation again to be able to do it, and if I find the right people who can help me. Raising a child takes an army so it’s impossible for any person to do it by themselves. Luckily, I did find that motivation again to get back to playing. Once I decided that (I was going to compete), there was no looking back," she had mentioned when she decided to come back full force to the circuit.

Starting tomorrow, Mirza has her eyes trained on a long and productive year ahead and is eager to get back to her winning ways. Having decided to play in all the four Grand Slams and also vie for a berth at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Hobart International will serve as the perfect launching pad for a revamped Sania Mirza. A former semi-finalist at Hobart in 2007 and a quarter-finalist in 2008 in the singles draw, Mirza partnered with 2010 French Open Champion, Francesca Schiavone to advance to the quarter-finals of the doubles event at Hobart.

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Boasting of a talented crop of tennis players- both old and new, the competition is expected to be stiff at the Tasmanian capital city. Mirza, will have to deal with plenty on her plate as there are former Champions and former World No. 1 players to tackle in the draw. The tournament at Hobart will be able to properly impart the competitive vibe necessary for the upcoming Australian Open too. The line-up looks very exciting and Mirza along with her women's and mixed doubles partners will have to put their best foot forward.

The defending women’s doubles champions of Latisha and Hao-Ching will be returning to defend their title while the 2018 Australian Open women's doubles champion of Zhang Shuai and Peng Shuai will be there to give a stiff fight. The battleground is set and awaits the return of Sania Mirza, hungrily. It remains to be seen how Mirza following the footsteps of Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, all mothers who scripted a comeback, writes her own tale of success this year as she picks up the racket to create history again and inspire countless women in the process.