HYDERABAD - The family of Sania Mirza is excited and proud over her first Grand Slam title, which she won Sunday with Mahesh Bhupathi in the mixed doubles at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

‘I thank Allah for blessing her with this title. We were all waiting for this for a long time. We are all excited that she has won a Grand Slam,’ Naseema Mirza, a proud mother told reporters at her residence in the posh Jubilee Hills neighbourhood.

Sania and Bhupathi beat Israel’s Andy Ram and Nathalie Dechy of France to win the title.

It was Bhupathi’s seventh mixed doubles title while Sania is the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam.

‘It is a mixed doubles no doubt but a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam,’ said Naseema.

‘She performed well and went on to win despite facing a stomach problem for the last few days,’ she said.

‘It was a great come back for her after a wrist injury forced her out of action for the last several months,’ said Naseema.

On the coordination between Sania and Bhupathi, Naseema said it was excellent. ‘They encouraged and complemented each other.’

Naseema said the family would celebrate the Grand Slam victory after Sania and her father Imran Mirza return home. ‘There will definitely be celebrations once they come back,’ she said.

Sania’s younger sister Anam Mirza said she was confident that Sania would bag the Grand Slam. ‘I had told her that you are definitely going to bag the title. I will congratulate her after her return,’ said Anam.