Sania Mirza is an inspiration for Indian sports, tennis in particular.
“I have been coming to this tournament for nearly 20 years. It is nostalgic for me,” said Sania as she addressed the gathering at the presentation function of the Fenesta National tennis.
“The national championship is very special to win. We used to prepare through the year for this. People need to understand its importance. Sunil Kumar won it as a 16-year-old, and it was a great stepping stone for his career,” recalled Sania.
Sania — attempting to relaunch her career after child birth, with the Australian Open — said, “I started my career here, and I am looking forward to launch Sania 2.0 now.” She also said that she was training four to five hours every day to regain her fitness.
She had brought her son Izhaan Mirza Malik, and was accompanied by her dad Imran Mirza.
Sania also expressed her pleasure with Sumit Nagal’s progress — he has reached a career-best rank of 135 — and complimented Mahesh Bhupathi for backing the youngster. Even as she praised Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi for projecting a positive image of Indian women’s tennis, she hoped that they would make it to the next level soon, as they were not getting younger.
Queried about her advice for those aspiring to follow her footsteps on the Grand Slam stage, Sania said, “First of all, they should listen to advice. On a more serious note, they need to have a good team. I know that Karman has a good team. She has been injured for about five months. I really feel that she has it in her.”
When her view was sought, about India playing Pakistan in Davis Cup in Islamabad, Sania said that she had nothing to say.
Anil Khanna, AITA life president, felicitated Ajay Shiram, chairman and managing director of the DCM Shriram Group, for the 25-year bond in running the “most loved tournament”, and stated that he was looking forward to seeing two mothers — Serena Williams and Sania Mirza — in action at the Tokyo Olympics.
