Sport

It’s impossible to handle the pressure: Sania Mirza

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

CREDiTABLE SHOW: In spite of the controversies of the recent past, Sania gave a good account of herself in the Australian Open.

HYDERABAD: At 21, she is a celebrity in Indian sport and on the WTA Tour circuit. And, for the first time, Sania Mirza says candidly that it is very difficult to handle the pressure and the controversies.

“However best you try to block them off your mind, they keep coming back at you. It is not all that easy,” the World No. 29 explained during an interaction with the media at her residence on Monday after her return from the Australian Open and the Federation Cup in Pattaya.

“I am a normal 21-year-old tennis girl. It is impossible to get used to these pressures every time they keep coming back to you,” she commented. “But, right now, I am playing and that is important,” she quickly added with a big smile, avoiding any further queries on the subject.

Exactly for this reason, Sania says that her managers advised her not to play in the WTA Bangalore Open (March 3 to 9) because of the controversies that are being raked up every time she is playing in India. “It is very, very difficult to handle these things,” was her repeated comment.

However, Sania said she would be undergoing an MRI scan on the left-hamstring tear very soon and was optimistic of playing in the Dubai and the Doha Opens in another two weeks time.

Sania felt that the third round appearance in the Australian Open and the Asia No.1 ranking were a great start to the year. “It is a huge honour. Another milestone in my career and I consider the Asia No.1 ranking as one step closer to realising my dreams including becoming a top 10 player in the world,” Sania remarked.

Looking back at the third round encounter with Venus Williams in the Australian Open which she lost, Sania agreed that Venus’s ability to come up with the big serves was one of the significant factors for the American’s success. “I agree that serve has never been my strong point. But it was a very close match and I played some great strokes,” she pointed out.

“I don’t think my backhand is anymore a weakness if not my strongpoint. And, I still believe that forehand is my forte,” Sania said to a related question.

Sania also said that she would be partnering Mahesh Bhupathi in mixed doubles for the rest of the year.

Commenting on the dreams of playing in the Olympics, Sania reminded that it is one moment which she should cherish a lot. “It should be very tough since all the big players will be there,” she added.

“Do I need a travelling coach now,” was Sania’s counter to a query on whether she has plans to hire one. “Well the focus should be more on fitness and I think that aspect is being taken care off adequately now,” she concluded.

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