The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : A mother's inspiring words

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 02, 2005

Sport

Sport - Tennis

A mother's inspiring words

V.V. Subrahmanyam

`Still a long way to go, be focused and play to your potential once you enter the court'

HYDERABAD: Like any caring mother, Naseema showed more concern over her daughter's toe injury than basking in the glory of yet another Sania win, this time in the second round of U.S. Open on Thursday.

Even as Sania was battling it out, Naseema was glued to the TV for live action in Hyderabad, staying up till the wee hours, even keeping an eye on mobile phone updates.

"Frankly, I was not expecting her to win. But the way she battled the injury, a gutsy opponent and the strong winds, I do feel it was truly remarkable," exclaimed the proud mother. Her message to Sania just before she walked out on court said: "Forget yesterday and don't bother about tomorrow. Think about today. Give off your best. Leave the rest to the Almighty."

With younger daughter, Anam, going to bed early, Naseema sat up, alone, to watch the match. "It is not that easy in a Grand Slam, you know," she remarked at the start. Apparently, having travelled with Sania more than her husband Imran Mirza (who is now with Sania), she is aware of the nuances of the sport.

Best friends

"In fact, we are the best of friends, very frank in chatting on anything," Naseema says, adding she wished she was by her daughter's side.

"We discuss other aspects of life too a lot," says Naseema. And, the mother confides that Sania is about as demanding as any other girl of her age. For instance, she made Naseema keep up her promise of buying her a car after her triumph at the Hyderabad WTA Open.

One of Naseema's concerns is the possibility of an emotional Sania breaking down after a loss, as, she says, it happened recently for the first time. "Frankly, she is a role model for a daughter any parent would love to have. She is very pious too," the proud mother says.

No excuses please

For Naseema, the very sight of Sania challenging the best is more important than just the result. She sends another text message to Sania saying: "Still a long way to go. Be focussed. When you are out there, forget the injury, the ranking of the opponent. Play to your potential. Once you enter the court, there should not be any excuse."

Well, as her daughter moves up the draw at New York, the journey continues for the untiring mother too, as she continues to play a huge behind-the-scenes part in shaping the future of the Great Indian Hope.

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