In what was her final Grand Slam appearance before next month’s retirement, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza gave an emotional speech after losing the Australian Open mixed doubles final in Melbourne on Friday.

Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos became the first all-Brazilian team to win a major after ending Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna’s farewell appearance together in the Australian Open mixed doubles final.

The Brazilian duo beat Sania and Bopanna 7-6 (2), 6-2 to claim the title at Melbourne Park.

36-year-old Sania, who will retire in February after participating in her last competition in Dubai, admitted her emotions almost boiled over after the Indians stunned third seeds and reigning Wimbledon champions Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski in the semifinals.

“My journey of my professional career started in Melbourne… in 2005 when I played Serena Williams in the third round as an 18-year-old,” she said.

“My professional career started in Melbourne… I couldn’t think of a better arena to finish my [Grand Slam] career at.”

We love you, Sania ❤️@MirzaSania • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/E0dNogh1d0

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023

“That was scarily enough 18 years ago and I’ve had the privilege to come back here again and again and win some titles here. Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life… To play the final, obviously we couldn’t get over the line, but there’s no better place and no better person to finish my Grand Slam career with,” said the Indian sensation who has won six Grand Slam doubles titles.

One of Sania’s three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles came with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi at the 2009 Australian Open, while one of her three women’s doubles majors came at Melbourne Park with Martina Hingis in 2016.

🏆 4️⃣3️⃣ WTA doubles titles
🏆 3️⃣ Grand Slam doubles titles (incl. 2016 Aus Open)
🏆 3️⃣ Grand Slam mixed doubles titles (incl. 2009 Aus Open)
📈 Ranked No. 1️⃣ in doubles

The epic career of @MirzaSania gets one final chapter today!#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/rI7rVZ1Zw8

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023

“I never thought I’d be able to play in front of my child in a Grand Slam final, so it’s truly special for me to have my four-year-old here and my parents here, Rohan’s wife here.”