Sania should avoid over-training: Myskina

Friday, September 9, 2005 (Kolkata):

Russian tennis star Anastasia Myskina says ace Indian player Sania Mirza should focus on fitness and guard against overtraining.

Ranked 13th on the WTA list, Myskina also felt the Hyderabad teenager would get "better and better" with experience.

"It's important to pay attention to your fitness, on and off the court," Myskina, who became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam at the French Open last year, said in an e-mailed interview.

"But you need to make sure you do the right thing for you, and not overtrain and risk getting injured," she added.

Fitness problems

However, Myskina avoided giving any tips on how Sania could get rid of her fitness problems.

"I'm sure she has good people around her who will tell her what are the best things for her to do," said the 13th ranked player.

Showering praise on India's latest sporting icon, Myskina said, "Indian tennis is becoming more and more well known. Sania's arrival is something great for women's tennis".

Myskina also said Sania had the potential to break into the world's top ten and win Grand Slam titles, but she needs to work on her consistency.

"Her results this year have been impressive and I expect she's only going to get better and better," said the winner of nine WTA Tour titles.

Double delight

Myskina said she loved watching India's leading doubles players Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, when they did wonders as a team in the doubles circuit.

"I loved watching Leander and Mahesh play doubles - they were one of the best teams ever. I even played Mahesh in mixed doubles once, so I got to learn a lot in that match!" she said.

Recalling her victory at the Rolland Garros last year, Myskina said, "Of course, that is the highest point in my career so far. It was amazing, not only to win my first Grand Slam, but also the first Grand Slam by a Russian woman".

"It's nice to create some history - that can never be taken away from me".

Having reached a career highest WTA ranking (two) last September, Myskina admitted that the current year has not exactly been a fairy tale for her so far. (PTI)