Ankle injury not as bad as I thought: Sania

Mumbai: India's latest tennis sensation Sania Mirza on Monday dispelled worries about her ankle injury, saying that the injury is was not as bad she had thought it would be and she would be able to start training in 2-3 days' time.

Sania was speaking after inaugurating a state of the art bowling machine, the Acres Club, along with cricketer Sandeep Patil.

Replying to a question Sania said her immediate goal was to break into the top 50 by this year's end.

The player, currently ranked 77th on the WTA, also hinted that she was in the process of finalising a coach, though, she refused to take any names.

She said that she was looking for a coach with whom she could be comfortable with and he should know a bit more about fitness.

Warning parents against pushing their wards too soon, she said for the first few years the child should have fun on the courts and only after that if one saw potential should they approach some coaches to test the child.

On her biggest strengths, she said, ''It is the support of my family and friends, without that I would not have reached here.'' She said that for tennis to overtake cricket in this country would be near impossible as cricket has become a religion in the country.

''I also like cricket with Sachin Tendulkar being my favourite player,'' she revealed.

On her future tournaments, Sania said she would be playing in the Maimi Open beginning March 17 and then move to France before returning home for the Fed Cup matches.