‘Sania needs check on her arrogance’

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23: Peter McNamara, an elite trainer at Tennis Australia, is here to give the under-14 kids some vital tips in Aussie methods, to develop skills both on-court as well as off it during the Asia-Pacific training camp at the DTA this weekend.

This will be part of the Aviva ballkids contest where over 300 kids from the country will participate to have a shot at next year’s Australian Open. During a chat with mediapersons, the Aussie, who watched Sania Mirza from close quarters last year at the Open, said the Hyderabadi had the potential to be among world’s top 10 by early 2007: ‘‘I won’t be surprised if she achieved it before next year-end.’’ On the obvious issue of her being arrogant to media, McNamara said that is something she should stop doing. ‘‘Players world over know that it (the media) makes them the stars. So, taking them along is the right way to making progress.’’

He said Sania has both the charisma and talent on court. ‘‘But she should also have the talent off it to handle the media. Naturally, there will be some uncomfortable questions. She should be prepared to answer them, though it may not be easy always. She cannot shy away from it because some personal questions are asked. She must understand that the public would want to know what a celebrated player like her has to say on certain things.’’