Sania 30% closer to playing in Fed Cup

If you wanted to know whether Sania Mirza has attained superstar status or not, the answer came here on Sunday.

The tennis teen sensation, now battling an ankle injury, was among those who spent a few hours at the Kotla to watch the India-Pakistan ODI but she didn’t have to go through security hassles.

A dozen securitymen escorted Sania to Kotla from her hotel in the morning.

She was there for some time before returning to hotel. Well, security is nothing new for Sania as even in Hyderabad she moves around with escorts because of the fear of getting mobbed in public places after her triumph in the Hyderabad Open this February.

However, the rest of the Indian Fed Cup team members were busy slogging it out at the DLTA for the Asia-Oceania ties which begins on Tuesday.

Sania did meet team captain Enrico Piperno, but there’s no word as yet on playing next week.

“The pain is less and I am able to walk. I will be consulting the doctor (BN Reddy) in Hyderabad on April 19 and he will then decide on the next course of action,” said Sania.

So that means after the draw ceremony on Monday, Sania will be out of town and then return.

“I want to be part of the team even if I am not playing,” said Sania.

But all the same she has not ruled out the possibility of playing towards the end of next week if she gets the nod from the doctor.

“It will all get clear only on Tuesday after I see the doctor. I do think I have made around 30 per cent progress,” she said.

Dad Imran Mirza was quick to add that Sania has not touched a tennis racquet now in almost four weeks.

“She still has oedema (swelling) in the left ankle and was put on a cast. It is off now, but Dr Reddy has to see it again. If she continues playing without it (ankle) being fully treated, it can become worse is the advice the doctor gave us,” said Imran.

Sania will be at the draw ceremony on Monday evening. It’s a Catch-22 situation for non-playing Enrico Piperno and the AITA.

It is unlikely that they will make a replacement in the squad, more so since the star herself wants to be there with the team.

Maybe, this time Delhi tennis lovers will just get to see Sania on the sidelines cheering her teammates.