The 28-year-old Sania is to tennis what Viswanathan Anand is to chess, Sachin Tendulkar to cricket — a true phenomenon. Everything is so natural about her game.
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour is producing a documentary on how tennis sensation from India Sania Mirza has traversed through the rough and tumble to scale the summit in women’s doubles.
Has life changed for Sania after being crowned World No.1? “Not really. In fact, you can’t think about it minute by minute. Yes, it has been very satisfying. Every individual desires to be the No. 1 in their respective disciplines. So, when I did realise my dream, it was full of emotions. Only the family knows the struggle and sacrifices better than anyone else,” she says while travelling to the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy on Tuesday morning. A routine which she never misses when she is in Hyderabad — a reflection of her unbridled passion for the sport to be match-fit despite being the best in the business.
Interestingly, the three-time Grand Slam winner from Hyderabad, feels that it is as difficult to reach the top as it is to stay there. “Not everyone in sport can be the World No.1. But again, it is not the end in itself. Life has to go on. For instance, if you slip to No. 2 it doesn't necessarily mean that you are not playing well. There are many dynamics involved in the whole process. I am happy with whatever I could achieve so far. I feel proud to be in the elite group for more than a decade now in the WTA circuit,” Sania explains.
Taking the opportunity, the star tennis player thanks all the coaches she looked up to through her career — from the age group category in Hyderabad to the WTA circuit. But how important is father Imran Mirza’s role? “Well, it is great to have a dad like him. He dons so many roles — of a mentor, coach, friend and guide with so much of ease. He’s the best role model parent for all those aspiring to make their kids good sportspersons, not necessarily tennis players. He never put any kind of pressure on me. In fact, it was the other way round — always ensuring that I am in relaxed frame of mind irrespective of the results,” she explains. “Yes, the fact that both my dad and mom know the game so much and better is a huge plus and I don’t think anyone has seen me hitting the balls on a tennis court more than my father,” she points out.
How do you define your lifestyle being a celebrity in your own way? “Oh! The routine is still the same every day even now. It did not change for the last 23 years since I started playing tennis. Rarely did I get the opportunity to get up straight from the bed and pick a wardrobe of my choice. The first choice has always been the sports gear,” says Sania.
What is that you miss badly being a top tennis player? “There are some things which might look very small but so important in anyone's life. For instance, we four of us (Mirzas) rarely spent a week’s time together or have had dinner at the same time or travelled together. I mean the element of personal life which anyone would love to cherish has always been a big casualty,” says Sania. “But again, being a professional, this is one big sacrifice I have to make,” she adds.
Significantly, Sania reveals that she hates travelling especially going to airports and flying around. “But, again where is the option? I love going to countries but not with this frequency. I always wonder whether I will have the dinner in the same country,” she quips.
It is a pity that unlike many others who by the drop of hat can just visit any medical shop and take a tablet to beat cold, cough or fever, Sania cannot have that liberty. She has to bear with all this for most of the medicines are under the banned category for sportspersons (as part of anti-doping measures). “Looks pretty, but this is the life we have to lead,” she points out.
What about food restrictions? “Fortunately, I have always been health conscious and never have been a heavy eater. So, even if I see a favourite cake, I would still taste it and not treat it is untouchable. Stay within the limits to be fit. But since we burn out lot of calories by way of hours of training, I love to take my favourite Chinese food occasionally,” says Sania even while reminding that she rarely has leisure time even to plan out anything special.
Who next after Sania? “There are a couple of good players though I won’t say extraordinary. Can break into the elite category but depends a lot on what kind of efforts they put it over a period of time,” she says.
Life with Shoaib
On her married life with former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, Sania says they are enjoying it every bit whenever they find time. “This is what I mean when I say we find it so difficult to spend family time because of our professional careers.
A huge kind of sacrifice by us because of our passion for our respective sport,” says the articulate tennis star who incidentally presented the biggest fifth wedding anniversary gift to Shoaib when she became the No. 1 on April 12.
