The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Sania Mirza optimistic

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 15, 2005

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Sport - Tennis

Sania Mirza optimistic

Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD: Sania Mirza appealed to her fans not to expect too much from her. "I will take each tournament step by step. And the U.S. Open championship next month will be no different. Let me cross the first round and then I will think of the next," she said at a function organised by the GVK Group of Industries here on Thursday.

Sania, however, is confident of realising her dream of cracking the top 50 by this year-end. "When I set a target, I know it can be achieved. I'm just 20 places away from it. I will be playing in six events before the U.S. Open and am confident of improving my ranking."

About her travelling coach, John Farrington, Sania said: "I have not met him. But it should be a good experience. I need a travelling coach now. An assessment of how the concept will work will be made after the U.S. Open. I am optimistic of a better show but I will continue to visit Bob Brett in Italy for all the technical inputs he provides to me," she said.

Sania said she is aware of the suggestions that she should partner Mahesh Bhupathi. "Right now I am not thinking much about the mixed doubles. They are played only about four times in a year in various Grand Slams. But yes, I would definitely love to play with Mahesh in Grand Slams in future."

GVK's contribution

The GVK Group of Industries will take care of the expenses involving Sania's travelling coach.

The chairman of the GVK Group, G.V. Krishna Reddy, said: "We spotted the genius in Sania long before everybody else. So we feel it is an honour to play a significant role now and help the youngster attain new levels of excellence."

Mr. Reddy also recognised the contribution of Srikanth, Jain, Ganesh Raman and Narendranath at various stages in Sania's career. All of them were felicitated today. Mr. Reddy also announced that his group would sponsor three more youngsters — C. Sushrutha Reddy (India No. 1 in under-16), 10-year-old V.K.C. Vishesh and B. Vikram Reddy (No. 1 in under-16 boys).

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