Indian Tennis sensation: Sania Mirza

            In a country like ours where cricket is worshipped and most of the youngsters wanna be a cricketer (both men and women), there is another sport which has brought glory to the country. There were a few men who are looked up to in the men's category starting from The Amritrajs to Paes and the Bhupatis. But in the year 2003 we had a 17 year old girl named Sania Mirza that came on the circuit. It indeed marked an era in the Indian women tennis.
            Born in 1986(the year after me), she started playing tennis at the age of 6, unlike me who did it at the age of 15. Well there is no comparison and the only similarity is that both of us have played tennis.
            Well well, this girl of any other individual tennis player in India has become a role model for any tennis player in the country. For us where this sport is still in its growing stages she managed to qualify and play all the grand slams. not only played has won a few matches as well. She has managed to get to the fourth round of the U.S. Open, third in the Australian open and second each in the French open and Wimbledon in singles events. And she has done more then awesome in the doubles and the mixed doubles.
            I think this is quite an achievement and I find no reason for anybody saying that she has not performed well. I do not say that she could not have done better, but keeping the infrastructure of the game in India it is superb.
            Pointing to the infrastructure in our country the toughest part is to find a proper trainer and coach because the stamina is as important as skill in this game, more so in the singles. Next difficult thing is to find sponsors. Many upcoming talents are not able to make it to the international coz they are not able to afford the game. Everything from the racket to the balls to the accessories are expensive.
            What this girl has done is made the officials and AITF look at the these concerns and the playing conditions and infrastructure is getting better. But there is still a long way to go. Well well well enough of the 'Infrastructure'.
            Sania's career has been a roller coaster ride like. She has been plagued by injuries and also some controversies. Talking of health my coach used to tell me that we Indians are not naturally strong physically, so utmost importance has to be taken or hte physical training.
            The people (who follow tennis) have been talking a lot about the career of this sensation. I wonder is there any question on her contribution to the Indian tennis and her game? Rather we should be proud of what all she has done on the court. I my opinion she would remain a star. Now she is all set to start a new chapter of her life. So we should wish her all the best in life .And as a tennis fan I would hope that she continues to play the game and take it forward.

Cheers
Rohit!!!