Mirza, who has played with Bopanna over the years as a doubles partner in various tournaments, said she feels the 42-year-old has underperformed in his career given his talent.

Although there was talk of Bopanna hanging up her boots soon, Sania was thrilled to see her good friend go down in sports history.

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“I always felt that he (Bopanna) failed for the kind of talent, the kind of power that he plays with. And I’m so happy to see him play at that level, you know, when the people are talking about him retiring, asking him such questions about it but he is still capable of playing at the highest level as an Indian I am very happy to see that he is actually here with a chance right to win the title,” Mirza said on Sony Sports Network.

Sania and Hradecka suffered a 4-6, 3-6 defeat at Court Simonne-Mathieu in what was the last Roland Garros of the Indian’s career.

As Sania bid farewell to the clay-court tournament, she hoped to one day return to Paris, not as a player but simply as a visitor.

“I love coming to Paris and playing here…I hope I can come back and visit Paris now, not as a tennis player,” she said.

Well into her final season, Sania is set to play two more Grand Slams before her illustrious career comes to an end.