Many sportspersons, especially in India, find it difficult to get a good mentor, who can guide, counsel and support when the chips are down. This has been a pressing need but one which has been badly neglected. Six-time Grand Slam champion and global sporting icon, Sania Mirza has taken it upon herself to bridge the gap and also to give back to the sport which has shaped her into what she is today.
The Hyderabadi has come up with ‘The Next Set’, an initiative to provide support to India’s leading and emerging women athletes. Envisioned as a way to give back to the sport, the initiative is designed to support women athletes who are already competing at a high level and help them prepare for the demands of professional sport.
Starting with her own sport tennis, Sania’s initiative is built on a two-fold approach. The primary focus of ‘The Next Set’ is providing access to a dedicated support system, including coaches, physiotherapists and trainers who can travel with players across tournaments, enabling better coordination, support system and preparation throughout the year. Alongside this, the programme will also conduct focused tennis camps and coaching clinics led by Sania Mirza at her academy, Sania Mirza Tennis Academy, which will address technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of performance.
‘The Next Set’ has found its partners in BNW Developments and Shookra Polyclinics; who apart from being ardent lovers of the sport, play a vital role in shaping the journey of these athletes, inspiring growth, support and confidence.
“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,” Sania said.
“We’re honoured to be part of this initiative because it reflects something we genuinely care about, creating strong ecosystems where people are supported to give their best. The Next Set is about standing behind women athletes, on and off the court, and being part of their journey in a meaningful way,” said Ankur Aggarwal, chairman and founder of BNW Developments.
Ankiti Bose, partner at Terra-Invest and chairperson of Shookra Clinics said, “We are excited to partner with Sania Mirza on The Next Set, as a Longevity Partner as it’s an initiative that goes beyond training and looks at holistic athlete development. Supporting top talent with the right resources and access to the very best is essential, and we’re glad to be part of a programme that aims to do just that.”
