Tennis star Sania Mirza feels it is a great honour to partner World No. 1 Bob Bryan in the mixed doubles and hopes to script a new chapter in her career as the next leg of her competitive circuit begins a few weeks from now after a break now.
Speaking at the ‘Marks for Sports’ campaign launched by the NDTV-Nirmal for which the Hyderabadi is the brand ambassador, the 25-year-old Sania says that she is not thinking of retiring soon. “I am enjoying the game and will continue to keep playing as long as I do that,” she insisted.
Referring the fact that Hyderabad sports is all about herself and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal, a beaming Sania said that it was good that we were playing together at the same time. “Well, the City has a rich history of producing great sportspersons with the likes of Jaisimha, Azharuddin, VVS Laxman, Gopi to name a few. And, the best part is that we (Saina and Sania) are still very hungry for success. In the process of achieving many more laurels, we hope to inspire the young talent,” she pointed out.
Sania felt sad that the question of who next after her is constantly posed to her. “Yes, it hurts when you see that there are not many around who can break into the top 300 or even 200. There is talent but somewhere down the line something is missing,” she commented.
“Exactly for this reason, I am starting the Academy to ensure that the young talent is groomed and play to its potential. We need to produce champions and I am sure that I can contribute my bit to the sport,” says the two-time Grand Slam winner who is starting a full-fledged tennis academy near the outskirts of Hyderabad. “I hope to get the Academy work completed as early as possible. Because of rains, they stopped for the moment but hope to get it in shape by January when I return to the circuit,” she explained.
Referring to the fitness campaign, Sania said she has been noticing a drastic change in the right direction on this front across the country. “Even in Hyderabad the change is very discernible in the last two years. The people are more conscious about fitness levels and are very selective in their food habits. Well, this in a way helps especially when you are on the wrong side of ‘50s,” she remarked after participating in the Walk for Fitness at the KBR Park in the City on Sunday.
"I always believed that sports and fitness should be an integral part of the school curriculum for this helps to be a very healthy nation,” Sania said about her campaign.
