The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Doctorate for Sania

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Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Doctorate for Sania

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Sania Mirza

HYDERABAD: The country’s most famous women’s tennis player will now be Dr. Sania Mirza. The city-based ace tennis player will be conferred an honorary doctorate (Doctorate of Letters) by the Dr. MGR University, Chennai on Thursday.

“I am delighted. Good that my achievements are being recognised. It is a great feeling to be honoured with a doctorate,” remarked Sania in a chat with The Hindu from Bangalore after a training session with the other Indian players.

Hoping for the best

For someone who is on a comeback trail after a four-month lay-off due to a wrist injury, these things do matter and Sania acknowledges it.

“Well, everything seems to be falling in place for me now. The training is going on well and I am really comfortable and now this huge honour,” she observed. Apparently, India’s best women’s tennis player looks at the latest honour as one which should only “inspire” her to aim bigger feats in the coming weeks.

Special occasion

“It is always a great feeling when you get a feel that you are recognised for what you have achieved over the years,” she reminds. “This is a very inspiring honour. A very special occasion, no doubt about that at all,” Saina says. Incidentally, Sania is the first women’s tennis player to be conferred with a doctorate which also happens to be her first. Is she tense? “Not at all. But I am very enthusiastic about how the whole ambience will be out there,” she pointed out.

For someone who had the best of the players on the backfoot with her vintage forehand strokes, Sania could not be faulted if she falters for a moment when she walks on the dais to receive this unique honour in front of a select gathering.

A visibly delighted father, Imran Mirza, echoes similar feelings. “Well, when your child gets a doctorate it is a matter of immense pride,” he says.

By all means, with Sania gearing up for another go at the Australian Open next month, the doctorate might just well be what the doctor prescribed for the tennis star to re-discover her wonted touch.

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