Grand Slam winners return home

Mumbai:

The winning pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza returned home amidst a rousing welcome at the Mumbai Airport on Monday.

"It's a great way to come back, especially what happened in the last six-seven months," Sania, the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam title, said after landing in Mumbai with Bhupathi.

While the mixed doubles champions arrived in Mumbai, Australian Open boys' singles winner Yuki Bhambri reached New Delhi.

Asked about her future plans, an elated Sania said: "I am happy to win my first Grand Slam and there are many more to go."

Sania will now fly down to her hometown Hyderabad.

Bhambri won the singles title in the boys' junior event. He is only the fifth Indian to win a junior Grand Slam title.

Bhupathi and Sania won their first Grand Slam together, crushing Andy Ram and Natalie Dechy in straight sets in the mixed doubles final of the Australian Open on Sunday.

The Indian wildcard pair thrashed the Israeli-French duo 6-3, 6-1.

The win gave Bhupathi his 11th Grand Slam title and the seventh in mixed doubles. This was also Bhupathi's second mixed doubles title at the Australian Open, following his 2006 triumph with Martina Hingis. For Sania, it was her maiden Grand Slam title.