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I am not setting targets: Sania

Principal Correspondent

— PHOTO: AFP

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Sania Mirza is pleased that some of her recent wins have been against the top 20 players.

HYDERABAD: Fresh from her dream run in the U.S. hard court season, Sania Mirza reiterated she is not concerned about rankings or numbers.

“I feel that there is no difference in my game. I am still hitting the ball well, just as I did when I was World No.66,” said Sania, now World No.27, at a media briefing at her residence here on Sunday.

“I don’t want to be too greedy. For this reason, I am not setting targets in terms of achieving any rankings. All that I look for is an injury-free 2008 so that I can play as much as possible. I hate the thought of being out of action because of an injury,” Sania said.

“What essentially matters is winning the big games. And I am really pleased that some of my recent wins have been against those ranked in the top 20 of the world,” Sania added.

“Beating Martina Hingis in the East West Classic was something special which I will cherish for a long time. It was not just the win but the high quality game I played that gave me greater satisfaction. “Yes, there is some discomfort with the right wrist. That is because of my peculiar grip which I cannot change. Some times you feel good and sometimes bad. Hopefully, the Sunfeast Open will see my physical fitness at the right level,” Sania said.

Critical analysis

What is the critical analysis of her performance in the Grand Slams? “Honestly, I don’t think it was a disappointment to lose to someone who went on to play in the semifinals of the U.S. Open.

“For some reason, I was never able to play my best tennis against her. Or may be she did not allow me. May be, I have to go through the videos and come up with the right answers,” Sania said about her loss to Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in the third round of the U.S. Open.

Are there any areas of concern? “Well, the other day I saw even Roger Federer saying that he has to improve a lot. Well, when he says that, can I say I am a complete player? You have to keep improving consistently to be ranked along with the best. There are no short-cuts to success at this level.”

“You need little bit of luck and confidence and not just the game to be a top-ranked player,” she added. Sania said she was pleased with the way Spanish coach, Gabriel Urpi, had been working with her.

“I don’t think right now I have to look beyond him. For he and my dad (Imran Mirza) are working in tandem and planning exactly what I need to do, to be right there in the elite group. I don’t think I need even a full team comprising of physical trainer and a psychologist. I am very happy with my existing team,” Sania added.

“Playing with Mahesh Bhupathi in the doubles is an honour. I mean he is such a great player,” Sania said about her doubles partner at the U.S. Open. “I might have to do a rethink on playing singles and doubles as much as I have been doing till now. In fact, right now I have not identified any doubles partner for the next big tournaments,” said Sania.

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