The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Upbeat Sania all set for the grind

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Monday, Jun 25, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Upbeat Sania all set for the grind

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Attributes return to court to mental strength

Sania Mirza

Hyderabad: The focus veers around the form and consistency of Sania Mirza as far as Indian interest is concerned at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship starting in London from Monday. As usual, the young lady is upbeat about her chances and feels that with a little bit of luck she can be back to her winning ways.

“I am hitting the ball well and was very unlucky to lose the last two matches against the top 30 players like Santangelo and Schiavone. A win against them could definitely have raised my confidence for Wimbledon, but that’s what tennis is all about,” she says.

Up on her feet after spending three months using a wheelchair, Sania says it was her “mental strength” which has brought her back on the court. Of course, she is always analysing and working towards improving herself.

Gabriel Urpi, Arantxa Sanchez’s ex-coach will continue to work with her till the hard-court season in United States. Her father, Imran explains that Heath Mathew, the South African trainer, is immensely satisfied with Sania’s progress though he feels her speed on court is probably “75 per cent” of what it was before the injury.

Focus on singles

“Not playing tournaments until I am fully recovered was never a recommended option, as controlled time spent on the tennis court along with therapy is the best way to speed up recovery,” stresses Sania. She is quite convinced that she could be a top player in doubles if she stopped playing singles.

“When you are on the circuit you realise that your performance in singles is what you will be remembered for rather than doubles. I feel I have a chance to go a lot further in singles and till I believe in that singles will remain my top priority though I will continue to play doubles as well,” she explains.

Her father accepts that fitness has never been her biggest strength. “But she was playing her best tennis late last year and early this year before her knee injury and the following surgery. It is a near miracle that she is back in the circuit after surgery,” he says.

Imran feels few would knew the hard work she puts in. Anyway, “if she started getting bothered about what armchair critics say then there is no way she can continue to play at the international level,” he avers to make a point.

That Sania continues to be the country’s best hope despite her recent dismal run is itself a tribute to her stardom and the ability to stun the best in the business.

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