Serve it like Sania!

The craze for Sania Mirza continues as entries for tennis tournaments in the city see an all-time high That tennis has increased radically in popularity all over India is well known. But kids playing tennis in Pune are also giving a thumbs up to Sania as girls and even boys seem to have just one ambition - "Playing like Sania." This has been proven by around three hundred entries for the Royal Boat Club Tennis tournament, organised by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) has attracted this year. This is almost twice the numbers over the last twelve years. Organisers and the participants confirm the trend is entirely because of Sania. The tournament had en-tries from various parts of Pune. Taking inspiration from Sania, 11-year-old Aishwarya practises tennis two hours daily and wants to become an international tennis player just like her idol. PSI Ravindra Rokde has been training his daughter, Apoorva, now six years old, since she was three. Setting before her the example of Serena Williams, he wants her to represent India in the field of tennis internationally. Apoorva, after having seen Sania's fight against Serena, has found a new idol. She took part in the tournament for the first time and won in the under eight category. Sanaya Baldota, who is 11 years old, and a big fan of Sania, admires her fighting spirit and has a room full of her posters. Vidit Thakkar, who is eight years of age, and idolises Ande Rodericks, feels all Indian girls should be able to play like Sania Mirza. Sammy Khambatta, the secretary of The Boat Club, believes the inclination of kids to the tournament this year is definitely because of Sania Mirza. "Her match being televised has brought tennis to the forefront," he avers. Sant Singh Mokha, the chairperson for sports, RCBC also holds similar views. "Sania together with Bhupati and Paes are drawing kids to tennis," he says adding that with proper facilities, even these kids can be match-winners.