On Sania Mirza's birthday, we recall the 9 most iconic moments from her career

Laughing against the odds: Mirza fought off a rejoinder from ex-cricketer Manjrekar with one of her own

Doubles World No. 1 Sania Mirza celebrates her 30th birthday today, and the first ever female No. 1 from India has had many exciting moments in her career so far – both on and off the court! From starting off as a singles champion and even hitting the top 30, Mirza was forced by injury to focus only on the doubles. But perhaps that was a blessing in disguise; Mirza took to the format like a duck to water, and truly hit her stride last year after pairing with former Singles No.1 Martina Hingis.

Her partnership with the Swiss Miss helped Mirza significantly up her game, and her aggressive forehand took centrestage. Although the pair, who swept WTA titles and Grand Slams together, split up earlier in 2016, that did nothing to stop the Indian’s juggernaut. Quickly pairing up with Czech ace Barbora Strycova, Mirza excelled on the Asian leg of the WTA Tour, and overtook Martina Hingis in the rankings to become the sole World No. 1.

Here are 9 moments where she proved her power on and off court:

Answering Sanjay Manjrekar

Never one to shy away from controversy, Sania Mirza was crowned year-end World No. 1 for the second year in a row – but not all were happy with the news. Former cricketer and popular commentator Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted to the news of Sania Mirza’s No. 1 ranking, saying she did not specify it was the “doubles No. 1,” which he implied was less of an achievement.

Mirza, in typical fashion, responded on Twitter, telling Manjrekar it was “obvious”.

Responding to Leander Paes

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 13:  Leander Paes (L) and Sania Mirza of India pose with the gold medal after the Mixed Doubles Final against Satoshi Iwabuchi and Akiko Morigami of Japan during the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on December 13, 2006 in Doha, Qatar.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for DAGOC)
In happier times: The pair pictured in 2006

Mirza is known for speaking her mind, whether in person or on social media, and even this time, she did not hold back. While Mirza and Bopanna, who were a pair at the Olympic Games this year in Rio, get along, former doubles no. 1 Leander Paes has been in an ongoing feud with the players, and took a dig at both in an interview following the Davis Cup, where he alleged that the ‘wrong teams’ had been sent to Rio.

Not one to keep silent, Mirza wrote on Twitter, “The ONLY way to win with a toxic person, is not to play!!! #karmaiswatching #zenmode.”

First Grand Slam Win

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11:  Sania Mirza of India and Martina Hingis of Switzerland celebrate after winning the Final of the Ladies Doubles against Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina of Russia during the day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Winners! Sania Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam with victory at Wimbledon 2015

No Indian woman had ever won a Grand Slam – but that all changed in 2015, when a certain Sania Mirza, her star truly in the ascendent, took Wimbledon by storm. Partnered by one of the best in the business and on her feet and hands and every bit of her as charged as India’s fans, Sania Mirza amassed victory, after victory, after victory – until fans decided they coudl believe what had previously been considered the impossible.

And Sania Mirza, with Martina Hingis, lifted the trophy at Wimbledon 2015 – not only her first Grand Slam win, but the first time an Indian woman had, er, aced a Grand Slam. And declared herself and the country ever so proudly.

First time as World No. 1

SINGAPORE - NOVEMBER 01:  Martina Hingis of Switzerland and Sania Mirza of India speak at a press conference with the Martina Navratilova Doubles Trophy after defeating Carla Suarez Navarro and Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the doubles final match during the BNP Paribas WTA Finals at Singapore Sports Hub on November 1, 2015 in Singapore.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The Sania Mirza – Martina Hingis combine won the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore

No Indian woman had ever been as successful at the sport as Sania Mirza has, and Mirza was at one point in the top 30 in the singles before her injury forced her to make a switch.

And then, after Grand Slams, titles and a mammoth ascent up the rankings, Mirza became the first Indian woman to become tennis’ World No. 1. And if anyone thought that she was a flash in the pan, she continued that form well into this year.

Answering the skirters

WUHAN, CHINA - OCTOBER 3: Sania Mirza of India looks on during the doubles final match with Martina Hingis of Switzerland against Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania and Monica Niculescu of Romania on Day 7 of 2015 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open at Optics Valley International Tennis Center on October 3, 2015 in Wuhan, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
Sania Mirza returned the ire she faced from radical clerics just as quickly as she returns serve

Mirza, an observant Muslim, faced backlash from clerics a few years into her career, who alleged that the player’s clothing was ‘too short’, describing it as ‘un-Islamic’. Mirza, who proudly observes her religion, took offence at the clerics’ statement, responding to them in a pithy reply. “"As long as I am winning, people shouldn't care whether my skirt is six inches (15 centimeters) long or 6 feet (two meters) long," she had said to the cleric who alleged Mirza, an icon for young women world over, was “leading young Muslim women astray.”

First title after split with Hingis

WUHAN, CHINA - OCTOBER 01:  Sania Mirza of India and Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic in action against Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic and Bethanie Mattek-Sands of United States during the double final match of 2016 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open at Optics Valley International Tennis Center on October 1, 2016 in Wuhan, China.  (Photo by Kevin Lee/Getty Images)
Sania Mirza and her new partner, Barbora Strycova, won a top-level title soon after coming together

In the immediate aftermath of her split from Martina Hingis, many, who had derided the Indian as the inferior partner in the partnership, would flounder in her career without backing from the Swiss. But Mirza, who paired immediately with the successful Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic, although she faltered at the US Open, overcame teething problems to win back-to-back titles and finals on the Asian leg of the WTA Tour.

The two won the Cincinnati Masters title soon after coming together as they embarked on a successful wrap-up to 2015

Second successive year as World No. 1

SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 25:  WTA Year-End World No.1 Doubles player Sania Mirza of India poses during day 3 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore at Singapore Sports Hub on October 25, 2016 in Singapore.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
After overtaking Martina Hingis in the rankings, Mirza held on to that lead to end another year as World No. 1

The points amassed during the Asia leg coupled with Hingis’ early exit at the WTA Finals, sealed the title for a second year after being tailed by Hingis for most of the latter season since they split. For all of Mirza’s success with Strycova, Hingis was also consistent with her partner, Coco Vandeweghe, even facing Mirza and Strycova in a final.

With only a 5 point deficit between No. 1 Mirza and No. 2 Hingis going into the WTA Finals Singapore, the two were paired together for that event, having qualified together. But an early loss for the pair – despite having put up a fight – meant that Hingis would not be able to catch up to Sania Mirza, giving the Indian the World No. 1 title a second year in a row – and this time, alone.

”Pakistan ki Bahu”

Sania Mirza even faced backlash for her choice of husband, and was on the receiving end of derogatory remarks

Sania Mirza, met, was in a relationship with, and eventually married former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. Given the national divide between the countries, miscreants described the tennis star as ‘Pakistan ki Bahu’, or the ‘daughter-in-law of Pakistan.’

With her win at Wimbledon last year, Mirza became the first Indian woman to take that title (having won with Hingis). Almost instantly, the slurs stopped, with the 29-year-old described as India’s pride.

“Those who called me Pakistan ki Bahu before, are now calling me India ki Beti, (India’s daughter),” she said.

Shutting down sexist news anchors

In an interview for her autobiography, Mirza was asked about her ‘plans to settle down’

This year, Mirza, who launched her autobiography, was interviewed by popular news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, who proceeded to, halfway through the interview, ask Mirza about her “plans for a family,” and why she “had not settled down yet.”

Mirza, in typical Sania Mirza style, asked the anchor why he did not use the same parameters when interviewing male sportspersons, and why they were never asked about their plans for their personal lives. “I met someone, I fell in love and got married,” she said, “is that not being ‘settled’?”

Mirza’s shutdown left the anchor shocked and profusely apologizing almost immediately. And it made a nation of strong, independent women proud.