The Hindu : Sania Mirza's priority is singles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 07, 2003

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Sania Mirza's priority is singles

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE Aug. 6. Sania Mirza has always been a picture of poise and the Wimbledon doubles triumph has made the 16-year old, a more self-assured player who now aims at clear-cut goals.

Sania, wound up a four-day stint with her coach, Krishna Bhupathi at the Nike Bhupathi Tennis Village here and then spoke of her desire to make it big in the singles.

"The victory in Wimbledon was a dream come true alright, but my priority has always been singles. I will be working hard to improve my ranking,'' said Sania, in a chat with the media here today.

The Indian teenage sensation leaves for Canada and US Open by the end of the month. Her North American schedule will take her to the Canadian Open, starting on Aug. 24 followed by The US Open from Sept. 2 and later to Peachtree $25,000 Challenger in Georgia.

The US Open would be her last Grand Slam as a junior. "That will be the last one for me and I am going with a lot of hope and I will try and do my best,'' said Sania, who was a girls doubles quarter-finalist last year.

Globosport, which is managing Sania's portfolio, is also looking forward to a coaching stint for the Indian girl with Bob Brett, the man who once trained Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic.

"Besides Brett, we are looking at other coaching options and we will decide on that during the US Open and then I will know how long and where I will train," said Sania.

She looks forward to breaking into the WTA Circuit and making a mark.

"It is a long road, and I will work hard for it and play my best and the rest is up to God," said Sania.

"The next two years would be a crucial one for me and aim to concentrate on getting as much exposure and experience as possible on the professional circuit. Though singles, would be main focus, I will also keep playing doubles, and that should help me to become a complete player," said Sania.

On her training in Bangalore, Sania said "it was a routine one, but keeping the upcoming North American sojourn in mind, I worked on my serve and foot work,'' she said.

She said that she was happy with the way things are working out with Globosport and her professional needs are being taken care of by the sports event management firm run by Mahesh Bhupathi. Sania, however, admits that nothing big has come her way in terms of sponsorship endorsements after her Wimbledon triumph.

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