Hyderabad, Feb. 3 : Having brought a big wave of cheer for all sports lovers and her fans in India by becoming the first Indian woman to win a senior grand slam title along with partner Mahesh Bhupathi at the Australian Open mixed doubles, Sania Mirza appears to be on the cloud nine.

While addressing a news conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday, the tennis sensation expressed her happiness over the recent triumph.

"It''s a Grand Slam. It is with a fellow Indian whom I know very well for a lot of years. It is with someone with whom I have been associated lot of times. And I think it makes it more special because of the year that went by, as it was such a difficult year for me both physically and mentally to come through whatever I did," said Sania.

She became the first Indian woman to win a senior grand slam title, when she along with her partner Mahesh Bhupathi won the Australian Open mixed doubles on Sunday after defeating Andy Ram and Natalie Dechy in straight sets (6-3, 6-1).

"Playing a tournament after six months of having the surgery, not knowing whether you can pick up a tennis racket ever again and not being able to have food as it is hurting so much. I am out there winning and coming back home with this slam, I think it''s going to be a very special victory," said Sania.

Sania had all praises for Mahesh Bhupathi as she said, "I definitely think that he is the biggest potential we have today. But I think it is great that after his achievement, there is nothing to pull him back. He is No. 2 (position holder) in the world but now I think he is No. 1."

The latest Australian Grand Slam title has added another feather to Mirza's cap. She is the first Indian women tennis player to reach the high ranking of 18.

In 2003, Sania became the first Indian eve to capture any Grand Slam title when she partnered Russia''s Alisa Kleybanova to win the junior doubles title at Wimbledon. Later, she went on to become the first Indian woman to win a WTA event that she won in her hometown Hyderabad, in 2005. (ANI)