Organisers of the seventh Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge are disappointed after failing in their attempts to have Indian ace Sania Mirza in the 75,000 dollar event from January 12 to 18.
Though they have received over 270 entries so far, the organisers said it would have been great to have Sania in the tournament which will be held at the Al Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa tennis courts.
Tournament Referee Hany El Khafief said the event would have been a perfect build up to the Australia Open but Sania was pre-occupied with other plans.
''Mirza intends to travel to Australia to train there during the entire month of December before the season opens in January,'' he revealed.
Hoping Sania's absence won't take sheen off the event, he said, ''Still the lineup is strong enough to offer a good show for tennis enthusiasts.'' The field included three players from the top 50, he informed.
Tournament director Farid Al Jayyussi was also elated with the record entry.
''We are very happy with the number of players who have shown interest to participate in the tournament. It reflects the good job we have done over the past years and that is why they want to come back with their families and friends,'' he was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Sania-Bhupathi to play Shikha-Krajicek
New Delhi, Nov. 30 (PTI): Sania Mirza will mark her return to the courts with a celebrity mixed doubles match partnering Mahesh Bhupathi against Shikha Uberoi and former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, on the sidelines of a men's event here on Sunday.
Shikha will also play a singles match against Krajicek's sister Michaela on the sidelines of the ABN-Amro Tennis Challenge on December 3-4, GloboSports, organisers of the event, said.
Sania, who last played in a competitive match seven weeks ago, had suffered a back strain and pulled out of a WTA Tour event in Thailand in the first week of October. She still has a slight strain in her lower back but the 19-year-old began practice two days ago in her home town Hyderabad.
The men's singles will feature nine-time Grand Slam champion Bhupathi and Krajicek, the 1996 winner at Wimbledon from Holland.
The Tennis Challenge will witness top eight men in the country compete against each other in a knock-out format.
The winner stands to get a qualifying round wild card for the ABN Amro sponsored 765,000-euro ATP Tour event in Rotterdam in February next year.
The tournament proper will be held over two days, with the quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday and the final, sandwiched between the celebrity matches, on Sunday.
Shikha will also play a singles match against Krajicek's sister Michaela on the sidelines of the ABN-Amro Tennis Challenge on December 3-4, GloboSports, organisers of the event, said.
Sania, who last played in a competitive match seven weeks ago, had suffered a back strain and pulled out of a WTA Tour event in Thailand in the first week of October. She still has a slight strain in her lower back but the 19-year-old began practice two days ago in her home town Hyderabad.
The men's singles will feature nine-time Grand Slam champion Bhupathi and Krajicek, the 1996 winner at Wimbledon from Holland.
The Tennis Challenge will witness top eight men in the country compete against each other in a knock-out format.
The winner stands to get a qualifying round wild card for the ABN Amro sponsored 765,000-euro ATP Tour event in Rotterdam in February next year.
The tournament proper will be held over two days, with the quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday and the final, sandwiched between the celebrity matches, on Sunday.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Sania to miss Siliguri tie
SILIGURI— The stage is all set for the 30 November Videocon Challenge Tennis Tournament at the Siliguri Indoor Stadium. But for the fans of Sania Mirza, there is some bad news.
The star will not take part in the singles match, which she was scheduled to play against Sikha Uberoi. Now, Shikha will lock horns with Ankita Bhambri, who was included in the draw today, while Rohan Bopanna will take on Mahesh Bhupathi in the second match. In the third match of the meet, the pair of Shikha and Bhupathi will play against Sania and Bopanna.
Former Davis Cup captain and technical director of the tournament Mr Jaideep Mukerjea, who announced these at a Press conference here today, said the decision was taken to reduce the risk of a further injury to Sania’s back.
“This is just the beginning of the season and we do not want her to aggravate her back injury,” he said. Admitting that the decision would disappoint her fans in the region, Mr Mukerjea said: “They have to be explained the exact reason of her absence from the tie.” Mr Mukerjea said that Ankita was a very promising player and she would not allow the spectators to feel the absence of Sania from the match.
The star will not take part in the singles match, which she was scheduled to play against Sikha Uberoi. Now, Shikha will lock horns with Ankita Bhambri, who was included in the draw today, while Rohan Bopanna will take on Mahesh Bhupathi in the second match. In the third match of the meet, the pair of Shikha and Bhupathi will play against Sania and Bopanna.
Former Davis Cup captain and technical director of the tournament Mr Jaideep Mukerjea, who announced these at a Press conference here today, said the decision was taken to reduce the risk of a further injury to Sania’s back.
“This is just the beginning of the season and we do not want her to aggravate her back injury,” he said. Admitting that the decision would disappoint her fans in the region, Mr Mukerjea said: “They have to be explained the exact reason of her absence from the tie.” Mr Mukerjea said that Ankita was a very promising player and she would not allow the spectators to feel the absence of Sania from the match.
Sania slips to 32nd place in singles, maintains doubles ranking
Recuperating from a back injury and bracing for a new season, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza slipped one place to the 32nd spot in the latest WTA singles rankings announced today.
The 19-year-old Hyderabadi, who will be back in the court again in the Watson's Water Challenge Women's Invitational in Hong Kong in January, was ranked 31st last week and she boasts of 924.25 rank points.
Despite being out of action, Sania, however, maintains her doubles ranking of 113 with 334.50 ranking points.
US-based Shikha Uberoi, meanwhile, improved his position by a couple of rungs to finish 146th with 238.75 rankings points, according to information received here today.
Seasoned Rsuhmi Chakravarthi (62.25) is way behind at the 370th place after slipping three places. Between the Bhambri sisters, Ankita (58.25) slid four rungs to 388 while Sanaa slipped three for the 469th place.
The 19-year-old Hyderabadi, who will be back in the court again in the Watson's Water Challenge Women's Invitational in Hong Kong in January, was ranked 31st last week and she boasts of 924.25 rank points.
Despite being out of action, Sania, however, maintains her doubles ranking of 113 with 334.50 ranking points.
US-based Shikha Uberoi, meanwhile, improved his position by a couple of rungs to finish 146th with 238.75 rankings points, according to information received here today.
Seasoned Rsuhmi Chakravarthi (62.25) is way behind at the 370th place after slipping three places. Between the Bhambri sisters, Ankita (58.25) slid four rungs to 388 while Sanaa slipped three for the 469th place.
Monday, November 28, 2005
The burden of straddling two worlds
V.M. Gokuldas
ON turning 18 last year, she bid adieu to her childhood and her anonymity and has not looked back since. On the 15th of this month, the whole of India seemed to celebrate her birthday.When she faced Serena Williams in a third-round match of the 2005 Australian Open, Serena freely confessed she knew nothing about her opponent.
But by the time the hour-long match was over, the Indian’s whiplash strokes and movie-star poise ensured that Serena and a global audience knew just who Sania Mirza was.
During the year, with a carefree mix of ambition and aggression, Sania moved up from 206 in the rankings to 31 with a tour title at home, a final at Forest Hills, New York and a fourth round appearance at the US Open. This girl from Hyderabad is going places.
Indians were hockey champions long ago. There was some wrestling and a bit of athletics, but nothing for a billion-plus people. Only stray individual performances like shooting, which won silver at the Athens Olympics. The country otherwise lives cricket. Millions are invested and multiplied. For this, matches, it is alleged, are fixed.
But tennis has remained clean, partly because there is less money involved than cricket. Sania’s advent threatens to make tennis glamorous and, maybe, profitable.
As an attractive teenager who plays with abandon and carries herself with unmistakable confidence, she is a veritable mix of symbols. She wears short skirts and is a devout Muslim. She is aware of her sexual power, but does not use it overtly. She plays tennis with savage ferocity on court without losing an air of innocent playfulness off it.
The key to Sania’s appeal lies in the effortlessness with which so many facets coalesce; and yet she goes beyond the pale of definition by any one of them.
The nose ring that she sports sets her apart from other tennis players, and other athletes across the world. It is both an assertion of ethnic Indian identity and a fashion statement.
Her wardrobe includes T-shirts with messages that provoke, tease and challenge our notions of who she is and what she represents, says top Indian adman Santosh Desai. They communicate a certain knowing innocence that allows Sania to retain her individuality.
Sania seems a wholesome product of a well-knit educated Muslim family. She has, so far, retained an image that is sporty and glamorous, while constantly climbing up the ratings with her on-court performances.
Sania is a product of the modern media, her superb talent notwithstanding. She belongs to a generation that instinctively understands how images are distributed and consumed by the masses. Her tennis attire makes a compelling visual across the world. Sania accepts this without excessive defensiveness or coyness.
But straddling two worlds has not been easy. The Muslim ulama publicly demanded that she dress "modestly". Last week, she tersely told an international audience: "What I do and what I wear is nobody else’s business."
Retaliation from the conservatives came a day later. Her effigies and posters were burnt, forcing her to tender an apology and refute an alleged remark on what she thought of pre-marital sex. "It is the worst crime in Islam," she clarified.
This shows that she is modern outside but conventional inside, like most successful women of any era claim to be. In Sania’s case, modernity and tradition are both integral — she is simultaneously more "Indian" and more "modern".
She is the new archetype. Of upper middle class family, hers is not a rags-to-riches story seeking popularity. She is not a loser-turned-winner seeking accolades. She is a winner all the way. Hers is a positive story all along.
In sum, Sania is a celebration of a modern girl, who happens to be a Muslim, for the new-century India. There is a positivity about her that everyone wants to be part of. Her be-yourself-and-go-for-it message is an attitude many young Indians are waking up to.
Great. But she is carrying far too many labels, each carrying a heavy responsibility. It would be naive to look at India, Indian womanhood, Indian Muslims or even Indian Muslim women solely through Sania’s image. The fact is that unlike Sania, all the rest are ill-educated and suffer from want.
Happily, there is constant questioning. Professor Zoya Hasan of Jawahralal Nehru University and Ritu Menon have edited a volume titled In A Minority — Essays On The Muslim Women In India, and an in-depth study in their latest book, Unequal Citizens: A Study Of Muslim Women.
The very title speaks volumes. Perhaps, it’s the first detailed survey based on 10,000 households in 40 districts spread across 12 states. It concludes that the state of the Muslim women is dismal. As Hasan puts it: "Religion does not influence their status significantly, but poverty does. Poor socio-economic condition is not a feature exclusive to Muslim women, but it is aggravated by their marginal status. Overall, Muslim women are triply disadvantaged as members of a minority, as women and, most of all, as poor women."
ON turning 18 last year, she bid adieu to her childhood and her anonymity and has not looked back since. On the 15th of this month, the whole of India seemed to celebrate her birthday.When she faced Serena Williams in a third-round match of the 2005 Australian Open, Serena freely confessed she knew nothing about her opponent.
But by the time the hour-long match was over, the Indian’s whiplash strokes and movie-star poise ensured that Serena and a global audience knew just who Sania Mirza was.
During the year, with a carefree mix of ambition and aggression, Sania moved up from 206 in the rankings to 31 with a tour title at home, a final at Forest Hills, New York and a fourth round appearance at the US Open. This girl from Hyderabad is going places.
Indians were hockey champions long ago. There was some wrestling and a bit of athletics, but nothing for a billion-plus people. Only stray individual performances like shooting, which won silver at the Athens Olympics. The country otherwise lives cricket. Millions are invested and multiplied. For this, matches, it is alleged, are fixed.
But tennis has remained clean, partly because there is less money involved than cricket. Sania’s advent threatens to make tennis glamorous and, maybe, profitable.
As an attractive teenager who plays with abandon and carries herself with unmistakable confidence, she is a veritable mix of symbols. She wears short skirts and is a devout Muslim. She is aware of her sexual power, but does not use it overtly. She plays tennis with savage ferocity on court without losing an air of innocent playfulness off it.
The key to Sania’s appeal lies in the effortlessness with which so many facets coalesce; and yet she goes beyond the pale of definition by any one of them.
The nose ring that she sports sets her apart from other tennis players, and other athletes across the world. It is both an assertion of ethnic Indian identity and a fashion statement.
Her wardrobe includes T-shirts with messages that provoke, tease and challenge our notions of who she is and what she represents, says top Indian adman Santosh Desai. They communicate a certain knowing innocence that allows Sania to retain her individuality.
Sania seems a wholesome product of a well-knit educated Muslim family. She has, so far, retained an image that is sporty and glamorous, while constantly climbing up the ratings with her on-court performances.
Sania is a product of the modern media, her superb talent notwithstanding. She belongs to a generation that instinctively understands how images are distributed and consumed by the masses. Her tennis attire makes a compelling visual across the world. Sania accepts this without excessive defensiveness or coyness.
But straddling two worlds has not been easy. The Muslim ulama publicly demanded that she dress "modestly". Last week, she tersely told an international audience: "What I do and what I wear is nobody else’s business."
Retaliation from the conservatives came a day later. Her effigies and posters were burnt, forcing her to tender an apology and refute an alleged remark on what she thought of pre-marital sex. "It is the worst crime in Islam," she clarified.
This shows that she is modern outside but conventional inside, like most successful women of any era claim to be. In Sania’s case, modernity and tradition are both integral — she is simultaneously more "Indian" and more "modern".
She is the new archetype. Of upper middle class family, hers is not a rags-to-riches story seeking popularity. She is not a loser-turned-winner seeking accolades. She is a winner all the way. Hers is a positive story all along.
In sum, Sania is a celebration of a modern girl, who happens to be a Muslim, for the new-century India. There is a positivity about her that everyone wants to be part of. Her be-yourself-and-go-for-it message is an attitude many young Indians are waking up to.
Great. But she is carrying far too many labels, each carrying a heavy responsibility. It would be naive to look at India, Indian womanhood, Indian Muslims or even Indian Muslim women solely through Sania’s image. The fact is that unlike Sania, all the rest are ill-educated and suffer from want.
Happily, there is constant questioning. Professor Zoya Hasan of Jawahralal Nehru University and Ritu Menon have edited a volume titled In A Minority — Essays On The Muslim Women In India, and an in-depth study in their latest book, Unequal Citizens: A Study Of Muslim Women.
The very title speaks volumes. Perhaps, it’s the first detailed survey based on 10,000 households in 40 districts spread across 12 states. It concludes that the state of the Muslim women is dismal. As Hasan puts it: "Religion does not influence their status significantly, but poverty does. Poor socio-economic condition is not a feature exclusive to Muslim women, but it is aggravated by their marginal status. Overall, Muslim women are triply disadvantaged as members of a minority, as women and, most of all, as poor women."
Bhupathi not to sure when Sania can play alongside him
Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi today said he did not want to put undue pressure on the matter of playing with young tennis talent Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles.
"This (pairing up with Sania) is something we don't prefer to put pressure on. When it's supposed to happen, it will happen," Bhupathi told PTI.
When it was pointed out that in the past he had indicated to play alongside her after the teenager breaks into top 50 and now she was in top 30s, he said "There is still some possibility. I know her ranking; I am her manager".
"It (pairing up with Sania) could happen in Australia (Australian Open); it could happen in 2008. I am not going to put a time-frame to it. When we are ready to play, we will play," he added.
"This (pairing up with Sania) is something we don't prefer to put pressure on. When it's supposed to happen, it will happen," Bhupathi told PTI.
When it was pointed out that in the past he had indicated to play alongside her after the teenager breaks into top 50 and now she was in top 30s, he said "There is still some possibility. I know her ranking; I am her manager".
"It (pairing up with Sania) could happen in Australia (Australian Open); it could happen in 2008. I am not going to put a time-frame to it. When we are ready to play, we will play," he added.
WTA tour event shifts from Hyderabad to Bangalore
India's first WTA tour event has moved out of Hyderabad and it will be hosted by the city from February 13 to 19.
The announcement was made by Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi and Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association Secretary C S Sunder Raju at a joint press conference here.
Bhupathi said the intention behind shifting the USD 175,000 (Tier III) WTA event, now christened 'Bangalore Open', was to scale up interest in other cities as well.
"In Hyderabad, the success of Sania Mirza was immense last year. The whole country watched. The aim is to move the event to a different geography and different level," Bhupathi said.
He said the focus now was to hold it here successfully. "We want to keep it here for a while".
Raju said the event was brought to the city, using the good offices of Bhupathi.
The Chief Minister extended the State Government's support to the "Bangalore Open".
Sania had won the event at Hyderabad last year; "Sania mania" gripped the country during those days.
Bangalore is hosting this kind of event for the first time. The event, to be held at the KSLTA Singature-Kingfisher stadium, may attract a few top names, according to KSLTA officials. Indian players Sania and US-born Shikha Uberoi, along with her American sister Neha, and Sunita Rao are sure to take part.
The city has witnessed international tournaments like The Legends Cup and the World Doubles Championship.
The announcement was made by Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi and Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association Secretary C S Sunder Raju at a joint press conference here.
Bhupathi said the intention behind shifting the USD 175,000 (Tier III) WTA event, now christened 'Bangalore Open', was to scale up interest in other cities as well.
"In Hyderabad, the success of Sania Mirza was immense last year. The whole country watched. The aim is to move the event to a different geography and different level," Bhupathi said.
He said the focus now was to hold it here successfully. "We want to keep it here for a while".
Raju said the event was brought to the city, using the good offices of Bhupathi.
The Chief Minister extended the State Government's support to the "Bangalore Open".
Sania had won the event at Hyderabad last year; "Sania mania" gripped the country during those days.
Bangalore is hosting this kind of event for the first time. The event, to be held at the KSLTA Singature-Kingfisher stadium, may attract a few top names, according to KSLTA officials. Indian players Sania and US-born Shikha Uberoi, along with her American sister Neha, and Sunita Rao are sure to take part.
The city has witnessed international tournaments like The Legends Cup and the World Doubles Championship.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Sania-Venus-Serena face-off @HK?
Hong Kong, November 24: Rising tennis star Sania Mirza was announced today along with three other top 50 players as starters in Hong Kong's Watson's Water Challenge Women's Invitational.Organisers named Mirza along with Russian world number eight Elena Dementieva, the Czech Republic's 15-ranked Nicole Vaidisova and China national games champion Zheng Jie, ranked 44 in the world, for the January 4-7 event.
They will join the world's top two players Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters as starters for the tournament, seen as an important warm-up for the Australian Open later in the month.
Mirza, ranked 31, became the first Indian woman tennis player to enter the fourth round of a Grand Slam at the US Open in September. Grand Slam champions Venus and Serena Williams are also confirmed for the Hong Kong tournament at the Victoria Park Tennis Centre.
They will join the world's top two players Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters as starters for the tournament, seen as an important warm-up for the Australian Open later in the month.
Mirza, ranked 31, became the first Indian woman tennis player to enter the fourth round of a Grand Slam at the US Open in September. Grand Slam champions Venus and Serena Williams are also confirmed for the Hong Kong tournament at the Victoria Park Tennis Centre.
Muslims burn effigy of Sania Mirza
Vadodara, Nov 23: Not happy over her views on sex, members of the Muslim community staying in the communally sensitive Fatehpura locality here burnt the effigy of tennis star Sania Mirza yesterday.
Muslim leaders said that their religion and holy book Quran did not permit her to make such statement.
Though Sania has clarified about her views on the subject, it did not satisfy the members of the Muslim locality in the area. (Agencies)
Muslim leaders said that their religion and holy book Quran did not permit her to make such statement.
Though Sania has clarified about her views on the subject, it did not satisfy the members of the Muslim locality in the area. (Agencies)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
‘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.’’
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.’’
Monday, November 21, 2005
'Sania can trigger an Asian revolution in tennis'
New Delhi, November 18: Former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek on Friday said rising star Sania Mirza can trigger an Asian revolution in tennis with the sport looking to grow beyond its traditional base.
“Yes, Asia can be a new, big market for tennis. What youneed is a start. Someone like sania can provide that local start, then the game can become big,” Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon singles winner from Holland, said.
“Sania can help other players. She has just turned 19, and has already reached 31. Everyone needs a role model, needs someone to look up to. Sania can provide that,” he said.
Krajicek, the only Dutchman to win at All England Club,said tennis in Europe did not enjoy the corporate support it did a few years ago, and that the growing economies of Asia like India and China could provide the game that support.“There is sponsorship but it is not like we have 20 companies coming to support an event. Football has the most sponsors, but still we are in a good situation. But 10 years back, tennis was very big,” he said.
Krajicek was in city to promote the USD 15,000 ‘ABN Amrotennis Challenge’ men’s event to be played on December 3-4. The two-day event would feature eight best Indian players with the winner getting a qualifying round wild card for the ATP tour event in Rotterdam in February, 2006.
“In Holland, we switch off the telephones. But I guess here it’s normal,” the 6’5” tall Dutchman remarked with a smile as continuous ring of mobile phones interrupted him.
“Yes, Asia can be a new, big market for tennis. What youneed is a start. Someone like sania can provide that local start, then the game can become big,” Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon singles winner from Holland, said.
“Sania can help other players. She has just turned 19, and has already reached 31. Everyone needs a role model, needs someone to look up to. Sania can provide that,” he said.
Krajicek, the only Dutchman to win at All England Club,said tennis in Europe did not enjoy the corporate support it did a few years ago, and that the growing economies of Asia like India and China could provide the game that support.“There is sponsorship but it is not like we have 20 companies coming to support an event. Football has the most sponsors, but still we are in a good situation. But 10 years back, tennis was very big,” he said.
Krajicek was in city to promote the USD 15,000 ‘ABN Amrotennis Challenge’ men’s event to be played on December 3-4. The two-day event would feature eight best Indian players with the winner getting a qualifying round wild card for the ATP tour event in Rotterdam in February, 2006.
“In Holland, we switch off the telephones. But I guess here it’s normal,” the 6’5” tall Dutchman remarked with a smile as continuous ring of mobile phones interrupted him.
I cannot justify pre-marital sex: Sania
Hyderabad, November 18: Distancing herself from her reported support to South Indian film star Khushboo on the issue of pre-marital sex, tennis star Sania Mirza today said her belief was otherwise.
Maintaining that she was deeply pained at the maligning of her image and making a non-issue into a serious controversy by misquoting her on the pre-marital sex issue, she said in a statement, "they were totally false connotations about my justifying pre-marital sex".
Sania, along with Miss Universe Natalie Glebanova and Formula One star Narain Karthikeyan, had reportedly voiced support to Khushboo at The Hindustan Times Leadership Summit held in Delhi earlier this week.
"I would like to clearly say on record that I could not possibly justify pre-marital sex as it is a very big sin in Islam and one which I believe will not be forgiven by Allah," Sania, a devout Muslim, said in the statement. "Attributing a view point that is totally contrary to what I believe in and what I stand for as a Muslim and as an Indian girl," Sania said, “was a creation of media to sensationalise a story and such sensitive issues needed to be confirmed before making such attempts.”
Khushboo's remarks on pre-marital sex had kicked up a major controversy and taken political twists with activists of PMK and Dalit Panthers of India voicing strong protests against the film star, who later apologised.
An earlier episode involving Sania's dress code and a religious leader issuing a 'fatwa' (religious edict) to "dress as a Muslim girl" had raked up controversy and Sania refused to speak on the issue.
She had also denied that her remarks at the summit that whether her dress was six inches in length was not made in the context of fatwa issued on the subject.
Muslim clerics had reportedly issued a 'fatwa' taking objection to Sania's apparel during tennis matches which they said was ‘un-Islamic’.
Maintaining that she was deeply pained at the maligning of her image and making a non-issue into a serious controversy by misquoting her on the pre-marital sex issue, she said in a statement, "they were totally false connotations about my justifying pre-marital sex".
Sania, along with Miss Universe Natalie Glebanova and Formula One star Narain Karthikeyan, had reportedly voiced support to Khushboo at The Hindustan Times Leadership Summit held in Delhi earlier this week.
"I would like to clearly say on record that I could not possibly justify pre-marital sex as it is a very big sin in Islam and one which I believe will not be forgiven by Allah," Sania, a devout Muslim, said in the statement. "Attributing a view point that is totally contrary to what I believe in and what I stand for as a Muslim and as an Indian girl," Sania said, “was a creation of media to sensationalise a story and such sensitive issues needed to be confirmed before making such attempts.”
Khushboo's remarks on pre-marital sex had kicked up a major controversy and taken political twists with activists of PMK and Dalit Panthers of India voicing strong protests against the film star, who later apologised.
An earlier episode involving Sania's dress code and a religious leader issuing a 'fatwa' (religious edict) to "dress as a Muslim girl" had raked up controversy and Sania refused to speak on the issue.
She had also denied that her remarks at the summit that whether her dress was six inches in length was not made in the context of fatwa issued on the subject.
Muslim clerics had reportedly issued a 'fatwa' taking objection to Sania's apparel during tennis matches which they said was ‘un-Islamic’.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Sania deserves all the attention: Bhupathi
Kochi, November 20: Tennis has really come a long way in India and in the last five to six years it has been getting the biggest attention, thanks to Sania Mirza, who is doing really well in international circuits, doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi said on Sunday.
"Indian women tennis never was so deep as of now. As I can see it will grow. Wherever I go, parents want to make their children like Sania," he said when asked about the standard of women tennis.
The Oberoi sisters--Shikha and Neha--are doing well, he said.
"We have enough talented kids, but unfortunately we have not enough coaches teaching the kids in the right way," said Bhupathi, who was in Kochi in connection with the inauguration of Regional Sports Centre-Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy (RSC-MBTA). On Sania getting more attention in the media than Leander Paes and himself, he said, "Sania is playing individual sport and Leander and myself are doing well playing the doubles events. For the achievements she had made in one year, she deserves all the attention".
On whether cricket had hijacked tennis, Bhupathi said, "it is a different situation. In cricket to become a star one has to be in India team, but in tennis to become a star you have to be in the top 15 in the world".
MBTA was planning to start six centres by January one next in the first phase around the country, said Bhupathi, nine time doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam champion.
"The Kochi centre will be the third centre," he said. MBTA has already tied up with Navi Mumbai Sports Association (NMSA), Vashi and The Club, Mumbai.
"Indian women tennis never was so deep as of now. As I can see it will grow. Wherever I go, parents want to make their children like Sania," he said when asked about the standard of women tennis.
The Oberoi sisters--Shikha and Neha--are doing well, he said.
"We have enough talented kids, but unfortunately we have not enough coaches teaching the kids in the right way," said Bhupathi, who was in Kochi in connection with the inauguration of Regional Sports Centre-Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy (RSC-MBTA). On Sania getting more attention in the media than Leander Paes and himself, he said, "Sania is playing individual sport and Leander and myself are doing well playing the doubles events. For the achievements she had made in one year, she deserves all the attention".
On whether cricket had hijacked tennis, Bhupathi said, "it is a different situation. In cricket to become a star one has to be in India team, but in tennis to become a star you have to be in the top 15 in the world".
MBTA was planning to start six centres by January one next in the first phase around the country, said Bhupathi, nine time doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam champion.
"The Kochi centre will be the third centre," he said. MBTA has already tied up with Navi Mumbai Sports Association (NMSA), Vashi and The Club, Mumbai.
Sania walks out of press meet
KOCHI:Tennis ace Sania Mirza tonight walked out of a press conference here in a huff when questions regarding her response to Tamil actress Kushboo's remarks on pre-marital sex, were asked.
"I do not want to say anything. I have already released my statement to the press", she said.
When she was again asked about her statement, which has become controversial, she walked out in the full glare of the media.
Sania is in Kochi as the brand ambassador of Malabar Gold.
To a query on her commitment to tennis, she said "I am here to answer questions only on Malabar gold".
Well-known Malayalam actor Mohanlal, who is also the brand ambassador of Malabar Gold, was also present. He tried to pacify the media, saying it had been a hectic day for Sania.
"Everyone has the freedom to express their views," he said on the Kushboo controversy.
"I do not want to say anything. I have already released my statement to the press", she said.
When she was again asked about her statement, which has become controversial, she walked out in the full glare of the media.
Sania is in Kochi as the brand ambassador of Malabar Gold.
To a query on her commitment to tennis, she said "I am here to answer questions only on Malabar gold".
Well-known Malayalam actor Mohanlal, who is also the brand ambassador of Malabar Gold, was also present. He tried to pacify the media, saying it had been a hectic day for Sania.
"Everyone has the freedom to express their views," he said on the Kushboo controversy.
Sania at her best in kids' court
HYDERABAD: Tennis sensation Sania Mirza, who is in the thick of a controversy for the past two days over her alleged remarks on pre-marital sex, had a different time on Saturday.
Amidst children who came here from all nooks and corners of the country for the 14th International Children's Film Festival, Sania spent about half an hour and replied patiently to their queries.
The star-struck children were eager to know all about their star-from her favourite dishes to opponents on the court, from her hobbies to her favourite Bollywood actors.
Sania was at Prasad's Imax to interact with the children as part of the ongoing children's film festival on Saturday.
Even as Sania's replies were cryptic, the children cheered. When a girl from the Andamans asked when she would visit the islands, Sania said: "Where were you when tsunami struck the island?" "I was safe in my house," the girl replied.
About her favourite film actor, Sania said she was a fan of Akshay Kumar since her childhood.
"I met him a few days back. I really die for him," she said. If Madhuri Dixit is her favourite actress, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is her inspiration in sport.
Sania said she would like to hear songs rendered by Sonu Nigam and M&M and in tennis, she is a fan of Steffi Graf.
When came the question about her favourite god and religion, Sania said she believes god is one and religion should not be talked about as all are one. However, she said that Id (Ramzan) is her favourite festival. The tennis star, however, said that she did not have any goal set for herself to achieve but would decide on it during December this year.
Roger Federer and Lindsay Davenport are the best in tennis stars at present. But, she said that it's a secret whether she would be able to beat any one of them.
When a girl pointed out that critics were targeting her for the change in her appearance over the past few months, she shot back, "What do you think." The girl replied, "Perfect", sending the audience into peels of laughter.
Even as Sania was ready to reply to children, she kept herself away from the media. Media personnel tried their best to get her reaction on the furore over her recent comments.
Amidst children who came here from all nooks and corners of the country for the 14th International Children's Film Festival, Sania spent about half an hour and replied patiently to their queries.
The star-struck children were eager to know all about their star-from her favourite dishes to opponents on the court, from her hobbies to her favourite Bollywood actors.
Sania was at Prasad's Imax to interact with the children as part of the ongoing children's film festival on Saturday.
Even as Sania's replies were cryptic, the children cheered. When a girl from the Andamans asked when she would visit the islands, Sania said: "Where were you when tsunami struck the island?" "I was safe in my house," the girl replied.
About her favourite film actor, Sania said she was a fan of Akshay Kumar since her childhood.
"I met him a few days back. I really die for him," she said. If Madhuri Dixit is her favourite actress, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is her inspiration in sport.
Sania said she would like to hear songs rendered by Sonu Nigam and M&M and in tennis, she is a fan of Steffi Graf.
When came the question about her favourite god and religion, Sania said she believes god is one and religion should not be talked about as all are one. However, she said that Id (Ramzan) is her favourite festival. The tennis star, however, said that she did not have any goal set for herself to achieve but would decide on it during December this year.
Roger Federer and Lindsay Davenport are the best in tennis stars at present. But, she said that it's a secret whether she would be able to beat any one of them.
When a girl pointed out that critics were targeting her for the change in her appearance over the past few months, she shot back, "What do you think." The girl replied, "Perfect", sending the audience into peels of laughter.
Even as Sania was ready to reply to children, she kept herself away from the media. Media personnel tried their best to get her reaction on the furore over her recent comments.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Ulema continues attack on Sania
Not pacified by tennis sensation Sania Mirza's denial on dress and pre-marital sex comments attributed to her, a Muslim organisation today continued the attack on her and asked her to change her way of dressing on the court.
"Instead of frequently changing her statements, she should change her way of dressing. She should restrict her liberal views to herself," said A Ikram, the Ulema of the Darul Uloom, Centre for Islamic Studies.
Islam prohibits pre-marital sex and requires women to wear veils, Darul Uloom's Mufti Ahsan Kasmi said.
Ikram and Kasmi said Sania should refrain from making her views on such issues public.
Already under Islamist fire for wearing mini-skirt while playing, the tennis star's reported comments that she supported South Indian actress Khushboo's views on pre-marital sex triggered off another controversy. She has denied having made such comments.
"Instead of frequently changing her statements, she should change her way of dressing. She should restrict her liberal views to herself," said A Ikram, the Ulema of the Darul Uloom, Centre for Islamic Studies.
Islam prohibits pre-marital sex and requires women to wear veils, Darul Uloom's Mufti Ahsan Kasmi said.
Ikram and Kasmi said Sania should refrain from making her views on such issues public.
Already under Islamist fire for wearing mini-skirt while playing, the tennis star's reported comments that she supported South Indian actress Khushboo's views on pre-marital sex triggered off another controversy. She has denied having made such comments.
Wacky wardrobe with sassy Tees: Sania's pick
Lucknow, November 19: Sania, Sania, Sania… the crowds had just one name on their lips when the tennis star flew down to take part in the inaugural ceremony of the Sahara Ganj mall on Thursday, eclipsing other stars like Gul Panag and ace shooter and Olympian Rajyawardhan Rathore.
Lensmen went in a tizzy and many in the audience whipped out their mobiles with cameras to record their moment with Sania Mirza. Dressed in a sequinned magenta and yellow outfit Sania and mother Naseema spent much of their time mingling with the Roy family and occasionally obliging autograph hunters. Looking tense initially at the size of the crowds milling to have one dekko at their teen icon, Sania took her time to relax, the smile returning to her face once she was inside the mall with a tight security cordon thrown around her. Careful not to create any controversy, mother and daughter declined the ceremonial tikka, content to flaunt the trademark purple silk stole which they were welcomed with.
Careful with her words, Sania allowed her eyes and smile to do the talking, preferring not to react when a prominent local builder challenged her to a tennis match. The gentleman, a little taken aback at the frosty smile he received, had to content himself with the fact that his moment of glory was captured on TV for posterity.
"I wish I could tell your daughter how proud we are of her. She is a role model for my teenage daughter," commented a lady lucky enough to get a word in with Sania's mother, "really, why don't you tell her that," said Naseema Mirza, turning to Sania, who positively glowed at the compliment. The VIP entourage was given a guided tour of the mall by Sahara Managing Worker Subrata Roy, who ensured a strict security cordon ensured that the media and fans were kept at a distance. It was only once the group reached the Food Court area on the fourth floor that they took a brief respite, settling down for some refreshments which included sampling a special grape-flavoured mocktail especially created to match the 'purple' theme of the mall.
With most outlets yet to open shop, there was little opportunity for a shopping for the Hyderabadi lass, who had to contend with the delights of the evening's fireworks' display by the Moranis to serve as the high point of her visit.
We did manage to get a little birdie to share her latest passion-another sassy Tee to her collection of witty, wacky wardrobe, which defines her attitude and style. "The more bugged I am, the more I like to wear it. I just hope no one sees me in it. They will be in for a rude shock," she giggled.
Lensmen went in a tizzy and many in the audience whipped out their mobiles with cameras to record their moment with Sania Mirza. Dressed in a sequinned magenta and yellow outfit Sania and mother Naseema spent much of their time mingling with the Roy family and occasionally obliging autograph hunters. Looking tense initially at the size of the crowds milling to have one dekko at their teen icon, Sania took her time to relax, the smile returning to her face once she was inside the mall with a tight security cordon thrown around her. Careful not to create any controversy, mother and daughter declined the ceremonial tikka, content to flaunt the trademark purple silk stole which they were welcomed with.
Careful with her words, Sania allowed her eyes and smile to do the talking, preferring not to react when a prominent local builder challenged her to a tennis match. The gentleman, a little taken aback at the frosty smile he received, had to content himself with the fact that his moment of glory was captured on TV for posterity.
"I wish I could tell your daughter how proud we are of her. She is a role model for my teenage daughter," commented a lady lucky enough to get a word in with Sania's mother, "really, why don't you tell her that," said Naseema Mirza, turning to Sania, who positively glowed at the compliment. The VIP entourage was given a guided tour of the mall by Sahara Managing Worker Subrata Roy, who ensured a strict security cordon ensured that the media and fans were kept at a distance. It was only once the group reached the Food Court area on the fourth floor that they took a brief respite, settling down for some refreshments which included sampling a special grape-flavoured mocktail especially created to match the 'purple' theme of the mall.
With most outlets yet to open shop, there was little opportunity for a shopping for the Hyderabadi lass, who had to contend with the delights of the evening's fireworks' display by the Moranis to serve as the high point of her visit.
We did manage to get a little birdie to share her latest passion-another sassy Tee to her collection of witty, wacky wardrobe, which defines her attitude and style. "The more bugged I am, the more I like to wear it. I just hope no one sees me in it. They will be in for a rude shock," she giggled.
Friday, November 18, 2005
'Sania can trigger an Asian revolution in tennis'
New Delhi, November 18: Former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek on Friday said rising star Sania Mirza can trigger an Asian revolution in tennis with the sport looking to grow beyond its traditional base.
“Yes, Asia can be a new, big market for tennis. What youneed is a start. Someone like sania can provide that local start, then the game can become big,” Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon singles winner from Holland, said.
“Sania can help other players. She has just turned 19, and has already reached 31. Everyone needs a role model, needs someone to look up to. Sania can provide that,” he said.
Krajicek, the only Dutchman to win at All England Club,said tennis in Europe did not enjoy the corporate support it did a few years ago, and that the growing economies of Asia like India and China could provide the game that support.“There is sponsorship but it is not like we have 20 companies coming to support an event. Football has the most sponsors, but still we are in a good situation. But 10 years back, tennis was very big,” he said.
Krajicek was in city to promote the USD 15,000 ‘ABN Amrotennis Challenge’ men’s event to be played on December 3-4. The two-day event would feature eight best Indian players with the winner getting a qualifying round wild card for the ATP tour event in Rotterdam in February, 2006.
“In Holland, we switch off the telephones. But I guess here it’s normal,” the 6’5” tall Dutchman remarked with a smile as continuous ring of mobile phones interrupted him.
“Yes, Asia can be a new, big market for tennis. What youneed is a start. Someone like sania can provide that local start, then the game can become big,” Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon singles winner from Holland, said.
“Sania can help other players. She has just turned 19, and has already reached 31. Everyone needs a role model, needs someone to look up to. Sania can provide that,” he said.
Krajicek, the only Dutchman to win at All England Club,said tennis in Europe did not enjoy the corporate support it did a few years ago, and that the growing economies of Asia like India and China could provide the game that support.“There is sponsorship but it is not like we have 20 companies coming to support an event. Football has the most sponsors, but still we are in a good situation. But 10 years back, tennis was very big,” he said.
Krajicek was in city to promote the USD 15,000 ‘ABN Amrotennis Challenge’ men’s event to be played on December 3-4. The two-day event would feature eight best Indian players with the winner getting a qualifying round wild card for the ATP tour event in Rotterdam in February, 2006.
“In Holland, we switch off the telephones. But I guess here it’s normal,” the 6’5” tall Dutchman remarked with a smile as continuous ring of mobile phones interrupted him.
Sania blames journalists; says she was misquoted
Hyderabad:Stating that her views on premarital sex had been reported ''out of context'' by a section of the media, tennis sensation Sania Mirza today clarified that she believes ''pre-marital sex is a big sin in Islam and one which I believe will not be forgiven by Allah''.
''It agonises me that the journalists concerned did not consider it necessary to confirm what they thought I meant before making up a sensational story, attributing a viewpoint to me that is totally contrary to what I believe in and what I stand for as a Muslim and as an Indian girl,'' she said in a statement here.
''I am deeply pained at the maligning of my image by the ridiculous headlines and opportunistic articles written by a couple of journalists to sensationalise a non-issue through misquoting and by using partial quotes, which are totally out of context.'' ''I do not even know whether it was a poor choice of words used by me that caused a couple of learned journalists to attribute these totally false connotations about my justifying pre-marital sex,'' she said.
Sania is the third celebrity to be embroiled in a controversy after actresses Kushboo and Suhasini, on their statement on pre-marital sex.
Taking part in the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit at New Delhi on November 16, Sania reportedly said, ''Look, whether it's before or after marriage, people should have safe sex. About pre-marriage sex, you can't stop people and hence the best way is to play it safe.'' Meanwhile, in an informal chat with reporters, BJP Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu disapproved of burning Sania's effigy by some party youth in Visakhapatnam yesterday. ''We may differ with her. But it is not correct to indulge in such acts (burning of effigy)''.
''It agonises me that the journalists concerned did not consider it necessary to confirm what they thought I meant before making up a sensational story, attributing a viewpoint to me that is totally contrary to what I believe in and what I stand for as a Muslim and as an Indian girl,'' she said in a statement here.
''I am deeply pained at the maligning of my image by the ridiculous headlines and opportunistic articles written by a couple of journalists to sensationalise a non-issue through misquoting and by using partial quotes, which are totally out of context.'' ''I do not even know whether it was a poor choice of words used by me that caused a couple of learned journalists to attribute these totally false connotations about my justifying pre-marital sex,'' she said.
Sania is the third celebrity to be embroiled in a controversy after actresses Kushboo and Suhasini, on their statement on pre-marital sex.
Taking part in the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit at New Delhi on November 16, Sania reportedly said, ''Look, whether it's before or after marriage, people should have safe sex. About pre-marriage sex, you can't stop people and hence the best way is to play it safe.'' Meanwhile, in an informal chat with reporters, BJP Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu disapproved of burning Sania's effigy by some party youth in Visakhapatnam yesterday. ''We may differ with her. But it is not correct to indulge in such acts (burning of effigy)''.
Sania, Sachin to inspire kids
They inspire millions of kids on television. Now, they will do it in the classroom.
The NCERT has decided to introduce chapters on youth icons Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza and Narain Karthikeyan, who have all made it big in the sports arena and in the hearts of young fans.
The NCERT is of the belief that as students identify with these youth icons, it will be easier to teach them a lesson or two about life through their favourite stars. “It is easy for students to remember youth icons like Sania. We have evolved chapters around India’s youth inspiration. This has also been done to make students understand in classrooms what they see or read in the media,” says NCERT director Krishna Kumar. The new textbooks will be introduced next year.
When it comes to who teaches the kids first, Sania is the clear winner. She features in a chapter on media studies in the Hindi textbook for Class VI students. The NCERT has reproduced an interview with Sania in which she speaks about her dedication and effort to reach the top. The short interview is followed by a write-up on her life.
“She is very inspiring. Her talk can inspire students to do well in life and become more sincere in whatever they want to do,” says Kumar. He adds that the interview will also be used to teach students how the media works and how the same story is treated in different newspapers.
As the students reach Class IX, they will get to know more about master blaster Tendulkar and Formula-1 star Karthikeyan. They are part of the social study textbooks, which has been changed in a big way. “We don’t want students to learn history or social studies the old way,” says Kumar.
While Tendulkar and Ranjitsinhji (Ranji) will be taught as part of Indian cricket history, Karthikeyan will figure in the chapter on how the younger generation has started taking interest in sports other than the traditional ones. Kumar hopes that this method of teaching will help students “learn more from what they observe than forceful teaching in the classroom”.
The NCERT has decided to introduce chapters on youth icons Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza and Narain Karthikeyan, who have all made it big in the sports arena and in the hearts of young fans.
The NCERT is of the belief that as students identify with these youth icons, it will be easier to teach them a lesson or two about life through their favourite stars. “It is easy for students to remember youth icons like Sania. We have evolved chapters around India’s youth inspiration. This has also been done to make students understand in classrooms what they see or read in the media,” says NCERT director Krishna Kumar. The new textbooks will be introduced next year.
When it comes to who teaches the kids first, Sania is the clear winner. She features in a chapter on media studies in the Hindi textbook for Class VI students. The NCERT has reproduced an interview with Sania in which she speaks about her dedication and effort to reach the top. The short interview is followed by a write-up on her life.
“She is very inspiring. Her talk can inspire students to do well in life and become more sincere in whatever they want to do,” says Kumar. He adds that the interview will also be used to teach students how the media works and how the same story is treated in different newspapers.
As the students reach Class IX, they will get to know more about master blaster Tendulkar and Formula-1 star Karthikeyan. They are part of the social study textbooks, which has been changed in a big way. “We don’t want students to learn history or social studies the old way,” says Kumar.
While Tendulkar and Ranjitsinhji (Ranji) will be taught as part of Indian cricket history, Karthikeyan will figure in the chapter on how the younger generation has started taking interest in sports other than the traditional ones. Kumar hopes that this method of teaching will help students “learn more from what they observe than forceful teaching in the classroom”.
Now Sania's pre-marital sex comments trigger protests
Tennis star Sania Mirza's remarks on safe sex, "before or after marriage", have evoked sharp reactions in her hometown with some calling them "un-Islamic" and others demanding an apology.
A day after Sania backed Tamil film star Khushboo - who has been dragged to court for comments on pre-marital sex - activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) took to the streets at various places and set afire her posters.
A Muslim cleric, who had earlier termed Sania's on-court 'dress code as 'un-Islamic', also said if she had supported pre-marital sex she would have nothing to do with Islam.
"Fornication is a major sin in Islam. A Muslim man or woman can't even mingle freely before marriage, not to talk about having sex. If a Muslim promotes fornication, he or she is considered expelled from Islam," said Moulana Haseebul Hasan Siddiqui, general secretary, Sunni Ulema Board, an organisation of clerics.
He said protests from various organisations against Sania's remarks were a natural reaction.
"When we asked her to follow the Islamic dress code many people criticised us but today even those people are not happy with her statements. This is because pre-marital sex is not only against Islam but also against Indian and Asian traditions. If you promote sex before marriage there will be no difference between a man and an animal," he said.
Raising slogans of "Sania down down", protestors belonging to the ABVP in Visakhapatnam beat her posters with 'chappals' and set them afire. They demanded that she tender an apology for hurting Indian traditions by favouring sex before marriage.
"She has hurt the sentiments of Indian people. She should tender an apology for the comments," said a protestor.
Sania was quoted as saying at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi Wednesday: "So there are two issues here, safe sex and sex before marriage. You don't want me to tell you that you have to have safe sex, whether it is before or after marriage. Everyone must know what he or she is doing."
Some commoners also appeared to have taken offence.
"Her statement is uncalled for. We are a closed and traditional kind of society. Such statements will only send wrong messages to the youth, who are already exposed to many kind of media like Internet and films," said Subha, an employee with a private educational institute.
Hameed Ahmed, a student, said: "Her comments are highly condemnable. This is not only against Islam but also our Indian traditions based on high moral values."
"There was nothing shocking when a film actress said that there is nothing objectionable in sex before marriage but a young sports person like Sania has shocked us all by backing such views," he said.
A day after Sania backed Tamil film star Khushboo - who has been dragged to court for comments on pre-marital sex - activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) took to the streets at various places and set afire her posters.
A Muslim cleric, who had earlier termed Sania's on-court 'dress code as 'un-Islamic', also said if she had supported pre-marital sex she would have nothing to do with Islam.
"Fornication is a major sin in Islam. A Muslim man or woman can't even mingle freely before marriage, not to talk about having sex. If a Muslim promotes fornication, he or she is considered expelled from Islam," said Moulana Haseebul Hasan Siddiqui, general secretary, Sunni Ulema Board, an organisation of clerics.
He said protests from various organisations against Sania's remarks were a natural reaction.
"When we asked her to follow the Islamic dress code many people criticised us but today even those people are not happy with her statements. This is because pre-marital sex is not only against Islam but also against Indian and Asian traditions. If you promote sex before marriage there will be no difference between a man and an animal," he said.
Raising slogans of "Sania down down", protestors belonging to the ABVP in Visakhapatnam beat her posters with 'chappals' and set them afire. They demanded that she tender an apology for hurting Indian traditions by favouring sex before marriage.
"She has hurt the sentiments of Indian people. She should tender an apology for the comments," said a protestor.
Sania was quoted as saying at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi Wednesday: "So there are two issues here, safe sex and sex before marriage. You don't want me to tell you that you have to have safe sex, whether it is before or after marriage. Everyone must know what he or she is doing."
Some commoners also appeared to have taken offence.
"Her statement is uncalled for. We are a closed and traditional kind of society. Such statements will only send wrong messages to the youth, who are already exposed to many kind of media like Internet and films," said Subha, an employee with a private educational institute.
Hameed Ahmed, a student, said: "Her comments are highly condemnable. This is not only against Islam but also our Indian traditions based on high moral values."
"There was nothing shocking when a film actress said that there is nothing objectionable in sex before marriage but a young sports person like Sania has shocked us all by backing such views," he said.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
When Sachin met Sania...
THE TIMES OF INDIA
This was the first meeting between the two icons. We bring you the details...
It was one picture that needs to be preserved for posterity. When the two biggest icons of Indian sports -- Sania Mirza and Sachin Tendulkar -- shared the stage, the shutterbugs -- needless to say -- went crazy.
The event was to promote the Hyderabad half-marathon where the two biggest brands came together for the first time.
Later, Sachin revealed what exactly the two biggest names in Indian sport discussed during their tete-a-tete.
"I asked her about her injury; how she has been recovering. I also asked her about her birthday celebrations," Tendulkar said. "And yes, she also invited me, along with the complete Indian team, for the party," he added.
On her part, Sania said it was a dream come true. "Oh! I have always been thrilled about meeting Sachin. I have been fascinated not only by his achievements on the field, but also by the way he conducts himself off it.
It was one of my most memorable moments. He wished me for my 19th birthday and I invited him."
And any special presents for the birthday girl? "My greatest birthday present was to meet Sachin Tendulkar. Nobody can give me a better present," she gushed.
This was the first meeting between the two icons. We bring you the details...
It was one picture that needs to be preserved for posterity. When the two biggest icons of Indian sports -- Sania Mirza and Sachin Tendulkar -- shared the stage, the shutterbugs -- needless to say -- went crazy.
The event was to promote the Hyderabad half-marathon where the two biggest brands came together for the first time.
Later, Sachin revealed what exactly the two biggest names in Indian sport discussed during their tete-a-tete.
"I asked her about her injury; how she has been recovering. I also asked her about her birthday celebrations," Tendulkar said. "And yes, she also invited me, along with the complete Indian team, for the party," he added.
On her part, Sania said it was a dream come true. "Oh! I have always been thrilled about meeting Sachin. I have been fascinated not only by his achievements on the field, but also by the way he conducts himself off it.
It was one of my most memorable moments. He wished me for my 19th birthday and I invited him."
And any special presents for the birthday girl? "My greatest birthday present was to meet Sachin Tendulkar. Nobody can give me a better present," she gushed.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Sania preaches safe sex
New Delhi: It's not possible to put a curb on pre-marital sex and the best way to curb AIDS is to play it safe, preached tennis sensation Sania Mirza. Sania, who came to New Delhi to take part in the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, skirted questions which had anything to do with tennis but waxed eloquent when it came to advocating other issue.
''Look, whether it's before or after marriage, people should have safe sex. And about pre-marriage sex, you can't stop people and hence the best way is to play it safe,'' said the teenager, who shared the dais with Miss Universe Natalie Glebova and Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan.
Karthikeyan, meanwhile, threw his weight behind South Indian actress Kushboo whose remarks on pre-marital sex has snowballed into a major controversy.
''I think Kushboo stressed on safe sex even it is pre-marital and it spiralled into a controversy partly because of the media,'' Karthikeyan observed.
Glebova, Toronto-based Miss Universe, asked people to have precaution and safe sex.How does it matter whether my skirt is 6 ft or 6 inch: Sania
Tennis sensation Sania Mirza finally broke her silence on the controversy over his on-court attire, saying "what I do at home, what I wear, is no one else's business." "How does it matter whether my skirt is six feet long or six inches," Sania said at the 'Hindustan Times Leadership Summit' here today.
A Muslim cleric had issued a few weeks ago fatwa over the 19-year old wearing short skirts while playing.
Sania said that she would not have had 10 per cent of the attention she was getting now if she were living in Russia.
Speaking on the occasion, India's only Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan said it did not worry him whether he would lose his celebrity status and be forgotten.
"If I am to be forgotten, so be it, because I have been there, done that," said Karthikeyan who was yet to sign a deal to drive in 2006.
Karthikeyan expressed hope that more and more youngsters from the country would follow him and take up motorsports.
A Muslim cleric had issued a few weeks ago fatwa over the 19-year old wearing short skirts while playing.
Sania said that she would not have had 10 per cent of the attention she was getting now if she were living in Russia.
Speaking on the occasion, India's only Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan said it did not worry him whether he would lose his celebrity status and be forgotten.
"If I am to be forgotten, so be it, because I have been there, done that," said Karthikeyan who was yet to sign a deal to drive in 2006.
Karthikeyan expressed hope that more and more youngsters from the country would follow him and take up motorsports.
Girls are not inferior to boys: Sania
It’s startling but true that, despite being born in an era quite different from my ancestors, the average person’s thoughts about women—particularly the girl child—haven’t changed. It’s strange that a girl child is considered a curse by many in our society, in both villages and cities. This came as a rude shock to me two years ago when I was appointed the brand ambassador of the Girl Child by the Central government.
How can people be so cruel? It’s difficult to digest that a child’s future is just in males. Without women, the world would cease to exist! My heart bleeds when I read that there are some areas in our country where almost 70 out of 1,000 girls fail to see the light of day. Worse still are people in our society, who sympathise and actually support this female-male ratio imbalance.The figures for female foeticide and infanticide are chilling and the fact that we have not been able to check this is alarming. An end to this barbaric act or stringent measures to check female foeticide to me would be India Empowered.Let us all join hands in educating people or in doing whatever it takes to totally cleanse our society of such misconceptions. Whoever said or believed that women are not the future are surely not those who think of Empowering India.
It’s a fact that in a country starved of champions—for whatever reason—there are restrictions aplenty, which is probably why India still hopes and waits for its next hero.
For me to see India without poverty may be a huge ask, but it sure is something that I hope the generations to come can see. There’s no doubt that India does possess talent. There are examples in abundance to prove that, but what remains a mystery is the fact that women still fail to enjoy ‘equal opportunity’ status. What is it that women cannot do? What I dream of in an Empowered India is when a child, whether male or female, is allowed its freedom to do what he or she wants, which—with the guidance of parents—includes sport too.
One has to remember the adage ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ does put things in perspective, particularly for those who simply think education and not sport can build one’s future. Education is necessary, but so is sport. It builds character and creates an alternative platform. But before that I feel it is very necessary to educate ourselves and believe that an Empowered India can only be achieved by a concerted effort. Let’s do it India.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Happy Birthday Sania
A VERY SPECIAL DAY: After a memorable year, Sania Mirza will celebrate her 19th birthday with parents, family members and close friends on Tuesday. — Photo: R.V. Moorthy
Now, Sania gets a fitness trainer
Admittedly fitness is Sania’s weakest link. And Team Sania is leaving nothing to chance. Soon fitness trainer, Jade Hottes will join the team. The Melbourne-based trainer will start working with Sania as she joins Tony Roche for three-weeks of coaching in early December.
Sania will be leaving for Australia on December 4. The 23-year-old trainer Hottes will work with Sania till the 2006 Australia Open.
“We have an arrangement of eight weeks with the trainer. It was Mahesh Bhupathi who made this arrangement. Jade will work with Sania on things like her speed, agility, endurance, power and injury management. We will see how it goes and take it up from there,” said Imran Mirza, Sania’s father.
Sania will be leaving for Australia on December 4. The 23-year-old trainer Hottes will work with Sania till the 2006 Australia Open.
“We have an arrangement of eight weeks with the trainer. It was Mahesh Bhupathi who made this arrangement. Jade will work with Sania on things like her speed, agility, endurance, power and injury management. We will see how it goes and take it up from there,” said Imran Mirza, Sania’s father.
Sania for a cause
tennis sensation Sania Mirza will take part in an AIDS awareness campaign in Siliguri on 1 December. She will flag-off a rally at 9.00 a.m. from the Kanchenjumhga Stadium to create awareness in the region about the HIV menace.
Briefing about the details of the event today, Mr Somnath Chatterjee of the Siliguri Blood Donars’ Forum, said: “Just before the rally, Sania will release a bunch of red balloons to attract people’s attention. Sikha Oberoi, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupati, who will arrive in the town on November 30, 2005, to take part in the Videocon Challenge One-Day Tennis Tournament, will also be present during the occasion.
Mr Chatterjee informed that the tennis stars have already confirmed their participation and the Siliguri rally will mark the beginning of a state-wide campaign through rallies to generate awareness about the killer disease in December this year
Briefing about the details of the event today, Mr Somnath Chatterjee of the Siliguri Blood Donars’ Forum, said: “Just before the rally, Sania will release a bunch of red balloons to attract people’s attention. Sikha Oberoi, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupati, who will arrive in the town on November 30, 2005, to take part in the Videocon Challenge One-Day Tennis Tournament, will also be present during the occasion.
Mr Chatterjee informed that the tennis stars have already confirmed their participation and the Siliguri rally will mark the beginning of a state-wide campaign through rallies to generate awareness about the killer disease in December this year
Monday, November 14, 2005
Sharing dais with Sachin is greatest birthday gift for Sania
Hyderabad, Nov 14 : She may be next only to master blaster Sachin Tendular on the country's popularity charts, but sharing the dais with her favourite cricketer was the greatest birthday gift for tennis sensation Sania Mirza.
Sania, who turns 19 Tuesday, shared the dais with the batting great here Monday evening at a function organised by Hyderabad 10k Run Foundation.
A half marathon is scheduled here for Nov 27.
"Sharing the podium with Sachin is a great birthday gift. You can't have a better birthday gift than this," said the world number 31. It will be a quiet birthday celebration for Sania, who had a dream run early this year at Australian Open by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.
She created history by winning WTA title in Hyderabad and also reached the fourth round at the US Open. Sania's birthday will be a close door affair. The family has planned a small party at their residence in the posh Jubilee Hills neighbourhood.
Sania's sister Anam said only their parents and close family members would be present at the party. "I plan to give her a surprise gift," said Sania's younger sister who has taken to shooting and won couple of medal in district-level competitions.
Sania, who turns 19 Tuesday, shared the dais with the batting great here Monday evening at a function organised by Hyderabad 10k Run Foundation.
A half marathon is scheduled here for Nov 27.
"Sharing the podium with Sachin is a great birthday gift. You can't have a better birthday gift than this," said the world number 31. It will be a quiet birthday celebration for Sania, who had a dream run early this year at Australian Open by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.
She created history by winning WTA title in Hyderabad and also reached the fourth round at the US Open. Sania's birthday will be a close door affair. The family has planned a small party at their residence in the posh Jubilee Hills neighbourhood.
Sania's sister Anam said only their parents and close family members would be present at the party. "I plan to give her a surprise gift," said Sania's younger sister who has taken to shooting and won couple of medal in district-level competitions.
Birthday girl Sania gets a perfect gift
HYDERABAD: It was a perfect birthday gift for Sania Mirza, who turns 19 on Tuesday, as the news confirming her 14-day training stint with Australian Tony Roche prior to the Australian Open came on Monday.
"I am really excited. Roche will work on my serve, the weakest link in my game," Sania said in an exclusive chat with The Hindu. "Roche is the best in the business. That is why we picked him.
"Realistically, I have not set any targets for the forthcoming year. I just wanted to break into the top 50 by year-end.
"I am delighted that I have achieved more than what I dreamt of. I hope things will continue to improve," she said.
From now on, Sania aims to get a direct seeding in Grand Slams and big events. "It gives me a chance to achieve my lifetime goal of being out there at the top," she said.
After a hectic year, the Indian tennis star is planning to celebrate her 19th birthday with parents, family members and a few friends.
"It is my birthday. Let me celebrate it the way I love to.
She is now enjoying the company of her family members — father Imran Mirza, mother Naseema and sister Anam Mirza.
"I dedicate all my achievements to my parents. The high point during the last 12 months has been the match I lost to World No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova at Wimbledon. I think I played my best tennis. There was only a marginal difference between her game and mine. Only a few errors separated the winner and loser," Sania said.
"The Indian coaches failed to spot the technical flaws in my game. I am also taking physical conditioning more seriously," she said, pointing to the full-fledged gym she has set up at home.
On fitness
Sania says she has recovered from the ankle injury and is 90 per cent fit. "It has been agonising, as I have had to recover from 10 injuries on the same ankle," she added.
Her sporting heroes? "Well, I love to watch Sachin Tendulkar with all guns blazing. He is an amazing sportsperson. He has been my childhood idol. In tennis, it is Steffi Graf."
She also loves to chat with childhood friends and schoolmates, Saba Azmi and Rucha Naik, as well as Anjana Parekh and Anjana on the circuit. "It is not that I don't have any other friends, but these are the regular ones," Sania said.
Fresh from her appearance in Amitabh Bachchan's Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sania said that the Bollywood star was the most powerful personality. "It was a great experience," she recalled.
Reducing the risk
Sania is expecting to get the first pair of the specially redesigned Lotto shoes to reduce the risk of injury. "She had been to Venice recently to get the size of the shoe tested and they have finalised one meant specially for her," said Imran Mirza. Sania will join the likes of Becker and Agassi, who used such specially designed shoes.
Despite being out-of-action for a month, Sania retained her career-best 31st spot in singles in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday. In doubles, she jumped a rung up to 111.
Sania, who is hungry for more, says that she would be a more determined player over the next 12 months.
Sania retains 31st rank
New Delhi: Sania Mirza retained her career-high 31st rank in the latest Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings released Monday.
The Indian tennis ace stayed at the 31st rank with 929.75 points despite being out of action for the past month, thanks largely to the end of season lull on the women's tour.
The Hyderabadi girl also retained her doubles ranking of 112 with 334.50 points.
Still recovering from a back injury that forced her to concede her second round match at the $200,000 Thailand Open early last month, Sania is all set to celebrate her 19th birthday Tuesday.
The past year has been a landmark for the teenager as she went from being a nobody in the tennis world to an overnight media sensation after her meteoric rise in the rankings thanks to her on court performances.
The Indian tennis ace stayed at the 31st rank with 929.75 points despite being out of action for the past month, thanks largely to the end of season lull on the women's tour.
The Hyderabadi girl also retained her doubles ranking of 112 with 334.50 points.
Still recovering from a back injury that forced her to concede her second round match at the $200,000 Thailand Open early last month, Sania is all set to celebrate her 19th birthday Tuesday.
The past year has been a landmark for the teenager as she went from being a nobody in the tennis world to an overnight media sensation after her meteoric rise in the rankings thanks to her on court performances.
Sania to have a quiet 20th birthday
India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza, who rose to dizzy heights of the game during the year, will "quietly" celebrate her 20th birthday in Hyderabad on Tuesday, family members said.
Though career-wise it has been a successful year -- with her WTA ranking lifted from 170 to a record 31 -- the family has decided to opt for simple celebrations at home instead of a public extravaganza.
She will celebrate the day with father Imran Mirza, mother Naseema and younger sister Anam at their residence in Jubliee Hills neighbourhood.
"It will be a quiet birthday," Naseema said. "It will be a closed-door family affair.
"There are no plans to have any sponsorship announcement on that day," said Naseema, who along with Imran played a key role in shaping their daughter's career.
As for Sania's future goals, "we have not yet thought about them", she said.
Since her return last month from Thailand, where a back injury forced her to concede her second round match in the Thailand Open, Sania has been keeping a low profile and avoiding media attention.
She declined to speak at a couple of functions that she attended to endorse products.
The controversy over her dress code has only helped to push her further into a shell after a few Muslim religious leaders had termed her dresses on the tennis courts as "un-Islamic".
Family members said Sania was now taking complete rest to prepare for the next season. Well-known coach Tony Roche is likely to train her in a build-up to the Australian Open early next year.
It was at the Australian Open last year that Sania shot into the limelight, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the third round of any Grand Slam.
Ranked 166 before the Australian Open, she went down fighting against Serena Williams in the third round but that was enough to hike her ranking to 129.
It was a season of historic performances for Sania. Though her target was to end the current year by breaking into the top 50, she achieved this five months earlier. She ranked 31 in the latest WTA rankings released last week.
Her impressive performance at the Australian Open was followed by a title win at the Hyderabad WTA Open in February as she became the first Indian woman to achieve the feat.
The biggest win came at the Dubai Open in March, when she upset world No 4 and US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.
Though troubled by an ankle injury and a first round exit at the French Open, Sania worked hard to make a comeback and reached the second round at Wimbledon. The meteoric rise continued in various WTA tournaments in US.
Sania then bettered her own record and created history by becoming the first Indian to enter the fourth round of the US Open. Though she lost to top seed Maria Sharapova, her performance left a huge impact and drew the world's attention.
Last month, she became the first Indian sportswoman to feature on the cover of Time magazine and was included in its 2005 list of Asian heroes. The magazine described her as a role model for women in India.
Sania, who was born in Mumbai on November 15, 1986, took to tennis at the age of five. Her international career started in 1999 with a world junior meet in Jakarta. She won the Junior ITF title at Islamabad and became No 1 among juniors in India the same year.
She hit the headlines in 2002 by winning the gold medal at the National Games and the bronze at the Busan Asian Games. The same year, she won three ITF titles.
Sania, who won the Wimbledon junior doubles title in 2003, has clinched a total of 12 ITF singles and five doubles titles.
Though career-wise it has been a successful year -- with her WTA ranking lifted from 170 to a record 31 -- the family has decided to opt for simple celebrations at home instead of a public extravaganza.
She will celebrate the day with father Imran Mirza, mother Naseema and younger sister Anam at their residence in Jubliee Hills neighbourhood.
"It will be a quiet birthday," Naseema said. "It will be a closed-door family affair.
"There are no plans to have any sponsorship announcement on that day," said Naseema, who along with Imran played a key role in shaping their daughter's career.
As for Sania's future goals, "we have not yet thought about them", she said.
Since her return last month from Thailand, where a back injury forced her to concede her second round match in the Thailand Open, Sania has been keeping a low profile and avoiding media attention.
She declined to speak at a couple of functions that she attended to endorse products.
The controversy over her dress code has only helped to push her further into a shell after a few Muslim religious leaders had termed her dresses on the tennis courts as "un-Islamic".
Family members said Sania was now taking complete rest to prepare for the next season. Well-known coach Tony Roche is likely to train her in a build-up to the Australian Open early next year.
It was at the Australian Open last year that Sania shot into the limelight, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the third round of any Grand Slam.
Ranked 166 before the Australian Open, she went down fighting against Serena Williams in the third round but that was enough to hike her ranking to 129.
It was a season of historic performances for Sania. Though her target was to end the current year by breaking into the top 50, she achieved this five months earlier. She ranked 31 in the latest WTA rankings released last week.
Her impressive performance at the Australian Open was followed by a title win at the Hyderabad WTA Open in February as she became the first Indian woman to achieve the feat.
The biggest win came at the Dubai Open in March, when she upset world No 4 and US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.
Though troubled by an ankle injury and a first round exit at the French Open, Sania worked hard to make a comeback and reached the second round at Wimbledon. The meteoric rise continued in various WTA tournaments in US.
Sania then bettered her own record and created history by becoming the first Indian to enter the fourth round of the US Open. Though she lost to top seed Maria Sharapova, her performance left a huge impact and drew the world's attention.
Last month, she became the first Indian sportswoman to feature on the cover of Time magazine and was included in its 2005 list of Asian heroes. The magazine described her as a role model for women in India.
Sania, who was born in Mumbai on November 15, 1986, took to tennis at the age of five. Her international career started in 1999 with a world junior meet in Jakarta. She won the Junior ITF title at Islamabad and became No 1 among juniors in India the same year.
She hit the headlines in 2002 by winning the gold medal at the National Games and the bronze at the Busan Asian Games. The same year, she won three ITF titles.
Sania, who won the Wimbledon junior doubles title in 2003, has clinched a total of 12 ITF singles and five doubles titles.
Top-10 ranking by 2006 end a realistic target for Sania
From wild card to draw card, the year gone by has truly been one of fairy tale success for Sania Mirza who celebrates her 19th birthday tomorrow.
It was around this time last year that the teenager earned a wild card entry into the main draw of the Australian Open. Twelve months from then, she is not just ensured of a direct entry but would also be a major crowd puller at the first Grand Slam on the calendar.
The Cindrella of Indian tennis, however, has no grandiose ambitions for the new year.
"It has been a great year for me. I hope the new one also turns out to be similarly good, if not better," Sania told PTI.
The fact is that Sania has grabbed with both hands the opportunities that came her way, opportunities that every young tennis player can only dream of.
She has made such a huge jump in rankings that she does not need a wild card any more for Grand Slams. And coming as she does from a country which is short on sporting heroes, she has shot to stardom overnight.
She is reportedly the second biggest brand among sportspersons in the country. Everything that she wears, whether it is a nose-ring or a T-Shirt, and does is seen as a statement.
To the western media, she is a mould-breaking Muslim woman. 'Time' magazine, which featured her on the frontpage of its special edition in October, included her among the 50 Asians who could influence the world's future.
Gone are the days when Sania's parents had to call their media friends everyday to get a para of her match score out in the papers. Now they spend their time mostly fending off requests for interviews from the media. All this in less than a year! The recent few weeks' break that Sania had has hence been a welcome one. Sania spent her vacation in London and Venice, and in another week's time, would begin her preparations for the new, hectic season ahead.
Sania, who has not picked her racquet since pulling out of a WTA event in Bangkok in October, would ease her return with a week's practice starting November 22.
She would then leave for Australia on December 4 for a special stint with renowned coach Tony Roche from December 5 to 24.
Sania will start the 2006 season with the USD 600,000 event in Sydney starting on January 9 but that would depend on whether she qualifies for the Tier 2 event.
The youngster's ranking is bound to take a dip because she would be losing points that she had won in December last year when she reached the final of a USD 50,000 event.
She expects her year-end ranking to be around 36 whereas the cut-off for Sydney is 28.
Sania may then play the same week in Hobart or Canberra where the events are of USD 145,000 prize money.
The Australian Open starts on January 17.
"It doesn't matter whether she is 35 or 45 as long as she gets a direct entry into the Grand Slams," Sania's father Imran Mirza said.
"The ultimate goal is to be in the top-10 but ranking progress is never a straight line. Ups and downs are bound to be there.
"The realistic chance of her being in the top-10, should she remain injury free and luck plays an important role as well, could be by the (2006) year end," Imran added. One thing new about Sania when she returns to the court would be a customised shoe to protect her from foot injuries.
Sania won the Hyderabad Open, the first WTA Tour win by an Indian, in February playing with a twisted ankle, and the aggravated injury forced her on the bench during the Fed Cup in March. She also played the US Open with foot blisters.
The teenager took time out during her stay in Venice to visit the headquarters of Lotto, one of the brands she promotes.
"The Lotto people made a complete sketch of Sania's foot. She has a flat foot, and since she has had ankle injury also, they will come up with a specially designed shoe for her," Imran Mirza said.
Sania will try out her new shoe over the next one month before g iving her feedback to Lotto.
The Indian lass plans to play for about 25 weeks but that could be scaled down if she does well in the Grand Slams and other major tournaments.
Besides, more weeks on the circuit also translates into more expenses, especially when there would be an increase in support staff who would be travelling with her.
Apart from one of her parents, Sania will also have coach John Farrington and a trainer travelling with her.
While the deal with Farrington is on a long term, the one with the trainer, a 23-year old Australian woman, would be reviewed after the Australian Open.
It was around this time last year that the teenager earned a wild card entry into the main draw of the Australian Open. Twelve months from then, she is not just ensured of a direct entry but would also be a major crowd puller at the first Grand Slam on the calendar.
The Cindrella of Indian tennis, however, has no grandiose ambitions for the new year.
"It has been a great year for me. I hope the new one also turns out to be similarly good, if not better," Sania told PTI.
The fact is that Sania has grabbed with both hands the opportunities that came her way, opportunities that every young tennis player can only dream of.
She has made such a huge jump in rankings that she does not need a wild card any more for Grand Slams. And coming as she does from a country which is short on sporting heroes, she has shot to stardom overnight.
She is reportedly the second biggest brand among sportspersons in the country. Everything that she wears, whether it is a nose-ring or a T-Shirt, and does is seen as a statement.
To the western media, she is a mould-breaking Muslim woman. 'Time' magazine, which featured her on the frontpage of its special edition in October, included her among the 50 Asians who could influence the world's future.
Gone are the days when Sania's parents had to call their media friends everyday to get a para of her match score out in the papers. Now they spend their time mostly fending off requests for interviews from the media. All this in less than a year! The recent few weeks' break that Sania had has hence been a welcome one. Sania spent her vacation in London and Venice, and in another week's time, would begin her preparations for the new, hectic season ahead.
Sania, who has not picked her racquet since pulling out of a WTA event in Bangkok in October, would ease her return with a week's practice starting November 22.
She would then leave for Australia on December 4 for a special stint with renowned coach Tony Roche from December 5 to 24.
Sania will start the 2006 season with the USD 600,000 event in Sydney starting on January 9 but that would depend on whether she qualifies for the Tier 2 event.
The youngster's ranking is bound to take a dip because she would be losing points that she had won in December last year when she reached the final of a USD 50,000 event.
She expects her year-end ranking to be around 36 whereas the cut-off for Sydney is 28.
Sania may then play the same week in Hobart or Canberra where the events are of USD 145,000 prize money.
The Australian Open starts on January 17.
"It doesn't matter whether she is 35 or 45 as long as she gets a direct entry into the Grand Slams," Sania's father Imran Mirza said.
"The ultimate goal is to be in the top-10 but ranking progress is never a straight line. Ups and downs are bound to be there.
"The realistic chance of her being in the top-10, should she remain injury free and luck plays an important role as well, could be by the (2006) year end," Imran added. One thing new about Sania when she returns to the court would be a customised shoe to protect her from foot injuries.
Sania won the Hyderabad Open, the first WTA Tour win by an Indian, in February playing with a twisted ankle, and the aggravated injury forced her on the bench during the Fed Cup in March. She also played the US Open with foot blisters.
The teenager took time out during her stay in Venice to visit the headquarters of Lotto, one of the brands she promotes.
"The Lotto people made a complete sketch of Sania's foot. She has a flat foot, and since she has had ankle injury also, they will come up with a specially designed shoe for her," Imran Mirza said.
Sania will try out her new shoe over the next one month before g iving her feedback to Lotto.
The Indian lass plans to play for about 25 weeks but that could be scaled down if she does well in the Grand Slams and other major tournaments.
Besides, more weeks on the circuit also translates into more expenses, especially when there would be an increase in support staff who would be travelling with her.
Apart from one of her parents, Sania will also have coach John Farrington and a trainer travelling with her.
While the deal with Farrington is on a long term, the one with the trainer, a 23-year old Australian woman, would be reviewed after the Australian Open.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Sania to make her endorsement debut in Kerala soon
Kochi (Kerala), Nov 12 : Tennis sensation Sania Mirza is all set to make her endorsement debut in the state on Nov 20 here when she endorses branded diamond jewellery of the Kerala-based Malabar Gold group of companies.
M.P. Shamlal Ahmmed, executive director of Malabar Gold, told IANS: "She has been our brand ambassador along with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal since early this year. This would be Sania's first visit to Kerala to endorse our latest product."
"On Nov 20 we are launching our branded diamond jewellery and also entering into the real estate arena. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and superstar Mohanlal would be present for the launch," said Ahmmed.
Malabar Gold, a Rs.6 billion-turnover company set up in 1993, is promoted by a group of non-resident Keralites based in the Middle-East.
Malabar Gold is a conglomerate of 18 different companies and has varied interests with jewellery as its major business.
"Currently Malabar Gold jewellery is available across Kerala, in select cities in south India and in the Middle-East. On Nov 20 we will announce our major expansion plans in north India," said Ahmmed.
M.P. Shamlal Ahmmed, executive director of Malabar Gold, told IANS: "She has been our brand ambassador along with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal since early this year. This would be Sania's first visit to Kerala to endorse our latest product."
"On Nov 20 we are launching our branded diamond jewellery and also entering into the real estate arena. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and superstar Mohanlal would be present for the launch," said Ahmmed.
Malabar Gold, a Rs.6 billion-turnover company set up in 1993, is promoted by a group of non-resident Keralites based in the Middle-East.
Malabar Gold is a conglomerate of 18 different companies and has varied interests with jewellery as its major business.
"Currently Malabar Gold jewellery is available across Kerala, in select cities in south India and in the Middle-East. On Nov 20 we will announce our major expansion plans in north India," said Ahmmed.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Sania must focus on building up her physical strength
There is no news of Sania Mirza. In her absence Mahendra Singh Dhoni and other Indian cricketers have stolen the limelight. The millions who watch cricket are no longer switching off their televisions and going for their afternoon naps. Dhoni’s sixers and a young team have brought hope and recovered pride. Sania has not been playing in tournaments. One sees her only endorsing products and opening showrooms, and wonders when we will see that thumping forehand again.
Currently ranked 31, Sania is on the threshold of a trying and testing 2006. She has to defend her ranking from a bunch of talented, tough and ambitious young girls, mostly from central European countries. With strong physiques, they are like a pack of hungry wolves. At the same time, Sania has to look ahead and try to break into a higher ranking.
Looking back at her spectacular performance in 2005 will give us an insight as to what Sania has to do to defend her ranking. Rankings are done by recording points on the computer. The points rating of the tournament is done on the basis of the prize money.
Hence, the Grand Slams with the highest prize money have the highest points. To retain your ranking you have to defend your points, as the points lapse after a year. In other words if you do not as well in the same week as last year you lose points and your ranking goes down.
Last year Sania reached the third round of the Australian Open, where she lost to Serena Williams. Thereafter she won the Hyderabad WTA meet and then went on to score a brilliant victory over the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, the then reigning US Open champion, in Dubai. Extra points are given for victories over players in the top ten. Later in the year, in AugustSeptember, Sania has to defend points for a final appearance in the Forest Hills Classic tournament and her last 16 encounter at the US Open against Sharapova.
It has been an incredible year for Sania with a bumper harvest of points. Her meteoric ascent in the rankings from over 300 to the thirties is unparalled in women’s — or men’s — tennis in 2005. US spectators loved her “smashmouth ground shots and goforbroke style” as USA Today described her game.
Sania is attractive and feminine and not hard, stodgy and muscular like most of the topranked women players. Her press interviews reveal a maturity beyond her years. She upstaged even the attractive No.1 seed Maria Sharapova to become the most popular women player at the US Open. The combination of Indian mystique with the diamond nose ring, the mini skirt and the rebellious irreverent slogans on her Tshirts struck a cord in American hearts.
With the fatwas, her international image mushroomed much beyond her tennis. Sania brushed aside the fatwa questions with great maturity and aplomb. Like I wrote after Wimbledon, “There is something special about Sania”
The grapevine has thrown up two important unconfirmed reports about her plans. The first is that Sania is going to Etcheberry in Florida for physical training and the second, a stint of 23 weeks with Tony Roche in December before the Australian Open. Yet another news item says that Lotto is designing a special shoe for her flattish feet. All these seem to be steps in the right direction.
Of paramount importance is building up her physical strength. Her explosive ground shots have surged beyond her fitness levels. The long rallies prevalent in modern tennis require much endurance and strength. To hit high calibre shots, one has to first be there, then get into position while retaining perfect balance.
Physical strength, which does not necessarily require bulging biceps, has to be built gradually and requires at least 23 years of faithful regular daily workouts under expert guidance. Etcheberry is one of the world’s best — he looked after Pete Sampras and currently trains many of the world’s great sporting icons.
Irrespective of cost, Sania should avail of his services. Leander Paes benefited greatly from his association with Etcheberry. Sixteen tough sets of men’s and mixed doubles crammed into two actionpacked days saw him emerge with the men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon 1999.
Without a high fitness level which he built over four years with Etcheberry’s guidance, Paes may not have won even one title. One does not know when life will throw up an opportunity. But when it does, you must grab it with both hands. If you are not 100% fit, you will miss the bus.
A drop in the current ranking would be a great disadvantage to Sania. There are 32 players seeded at the Australian Open. If she is able to be amongst the 32 seeds, then she will not have to play 31 of the higherranked best players till the third round. If she is not able to get a seeding, then she could be drawn to play a first or second round match against stronger and higher ranked players.
To sum up, Sania needs to improve on last year’s performance to climb to a higher ranking. To achieve this she needs to improve her endurance and physical strength, stay injury free and have access to a top class coach who has had experience of coaching or playing in the top ten of the world.
For Sania, 2005 has been a glorious year. One hopes that in 2006 she will be able to script yet another great chapter in the history of Indian tennis and move into the top ten of the women’s world.
Currently ranked 31, Sania is on the threshold of a trying and testing 2006. She has to defend her ranking from a bunch of talented, tough and ambitious young girls, mostly from central European countries. With strong physiques, they are like a pack of hungry wolves. At the same time, Sania has to look ahead and try to break into a higher ranking.
Looking back at her spectacular performance in 2005 will give us an insight as to what Sania has to do to defend her ranking. Rankings are done by recording points on the computer. The points rating of the tournament is done on the basis of the prize money.
Hence, the Grand Slams with the highest prize money have the highest points. To retain your ranking you have to defend your points, as the points lapse after a year. In other words if you do not as well in the same week as last year you lose points and your ranking goes down.
Last year Sania reached the third round of the Australian Open, where she lost to Serena Williams. Thereafter she won the Hyderabad WTA meet and then went on to score a brilliant victory over the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, the then reigning US Open champion, in Dubai. Extra points are given for victories over players in the top ten. Later in the year, in AugustSeptember, Sania has to defend points for a final appearance in the Forest Hills Classic tournament and her last 16 encounter at the US Open against Sharapova.
It has been an incredible year for Sania with a bumper harvest of points. Her meteoric ascent in the rankings from over 300 to the thirties is unparalled in women’s — or men’s — tennis in 2005. US spectators loved her “smashmouth ground shots and goforbroke style” as USA Today described her game.
Sania is attractive and feminine and not hard, stodgy and muscular like most of the topranked women players. Her press interviews reveal a maturity beyond her years. She upstaged even the attractive No.1 seed Maria Sharapova to become the most popular women player at the US Open. The combination of Indian mystique with the diamond nose ring, the mini skirt and the rebellious irreverent slogans on her Tshirts struck a cord in American hearts.
With the fatwas, her international image mushroomed much beyond her tennis. Sania brushed aside the fatwa questions with great maturity and aplomb. Like I wrote after Wimbledon, “There is something special about Sania”
The grapevine has thrown up two important unconfirmed reports about her plans. The first is that Sania is going to Etcheberry in Florida for physical training and the second, a stint of 23 weeks with Tony Roche in December before the Australian Open. Yet another news item says that Lotto is designing a special shoe for her flattish feet. All these seem to be steps in the right direction.
Of paramount importance is building up her physical strength. Her explosive ground shots have surged beyond her fitness levels. The long rallies prevalent in modern tennis require much endurance and strength. To hit high calibre shots, one has to first be there, then get into position while retaining perfect balance.
Physical strength, which does not necessarily require bulging biceps, has to be built gradually and requires at least 23 years of faithful regular daily workouts under expert guidance. Etcheberry is one of the world’s best — he looked after Pete Sampras and currently trains many of the world’s great sporting icons.
Irrespective of cost, Sania should avail of his services. Leander Paes benefited greatly from his association with Etcheberry. Sixteen tough sets of men’s and mixed doubles crammed into two actionpacked days saw him emerge with the men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon 1999.
Without a high fitness level which he built over four years with Etcheberry’s guidance, Paes may not have won even one title. One does not know when life will throw up an opportunity. But when it does, you must grab it with both hands. If you are not 100% fit, you will miss the bus.
A drop in the current ranking would be a great disadvantage to Sania. There are 32 players seeded at the Australian Open. If she is able to be amongst the 32 seeds, then she will not have to play 31 of the higherranked best players till the third round. If she is not able to get a seeding, then she could be drawn to play a first or second round match against stronger and higher ranked players.
To sum up, Sania needs to improve on last year’s performance to climb to a higher ranking. To achieve this she needs to improve her endurance and physical strength, stay injury free and have access to a top class coach who has had experience of coaching or playing in the top ten of the world.
For Sania, 2005 has been a glorious year. One hopes that in 2006 she will be able to script yet another great chapter in the history of Indian tennis and move into the top ten of the women’s world.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Sania-Lara 'dynamite' on KBC2
"We've got Sania and Lara together for a Children's Day special," says Star TV Chief Operating Officer Samir Nair.
"Why these two? Well, Sania needs no justification. She's a youth icon, and though she's the queen of endorsements, she needs no endorsement. Getting her on the hot seat was a challenge, and we proved equal to it.
"We needed a spunky, spirited woman of today to complement Sania on the hot seat. Lara fitted the bill perfectly. She's young, articulate and intelligent. They're very, very watchable together. Both Lara and Sania represent the spirit of youth and are role models for kids. Like Sania, Lara started very young. She became Miss Universe when she was in her teens," he adds.
"Ask Mr Bachchan, Lara and Sania are dynamite together."
The Children's Day special, to be telecast on Sunday, November 13, has many interesting interludes, not just with the two star guests but also involving their families.
"Sania's father is on the show along with her mother and sister. Everyone always wanted to know what Mr Mirza is like; Mr Bachchan finds out for us. AB talks quite extensively with Sania's dad about many subjects, including her money," Nair reveals.
"But the best part of the show is the chemistry between the two ladies -- very very appealing," Nair adds.
How much prize money do this dynamic duo finally obtain? No one's officially telling. But Sania and Lara apparently go up to Rs 1 crore, and then lose money by giving the wrong answer.
Star TV has at least two more celebrity specials lined up this season on KBC. Hrithik Roshan will appear with Priyanka Chopra, and if all goes well, we'll see Abhishek on the hotseat with his mega-anchor dad in the grand finale.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Sania regains 31st spot in WTO rankings
Sania Mirza's meteoric rise in international tennis continued as she reached a career-high 31st in the latest WTA rankings despite being out of action for the last three weeks.
The Indian tennis ace moved up three places in the women's singles rankings with 929.75 points.
Sania, recovering from a back injury that forced her to concede her second round match at the $200,000 Thailand Open last month, moved ahead at the expense of Pen Shuai of China and Russian Vera Zvonareva while Italian Silvia Farina Elia retired from the circuit.
Vera Zvonareva, who was defeated by Sania at the Japan Open, slipped 13 places and is currently ranked 40th. Peng Shuai lost four places to reach 33.
Al Sugiyama of Japan (994.50 points) is still the highest ranking Asian on the circuit at number 30.
Lindsay Davenport continued atop the singles rankings ahead of Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova.
In the men's doubles ranking, Mahesh Bhupathi slipped three spots to 19th place while Leander Paes held on to 12th spot despite his first round loss at the Paris Masters.
American Bob Bryan continues to be the top doubles player in the world
The Indian tennis ace moved up three places in the women's singles rankings with 929.75 points.
Sania, recovering from a back injury that forced her to concede her second round match at the $200,000 Thailand Open last month, moved ahead at the expense of Pen Shuai of China and Russian Vera Zvonareva while Italian Silvia Farina Elia retired from the circuit.
Vera Zvonareva, who was defeated by Sania at the Japan Open, slipped 13 places and is currently ranked 40th. Peng Shuai lost four places to reach 33.
Al Sugiyama of Japan (994.50 points) is still the highest ranking Asian on the circuit at number 30.
Lindsay Davenport continued atop the singles rankings ahead of Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova.
In the men's doubles ranking, Mahesh Bhupathi slipped three spots to 19th place while Leander Paes held on to 12th spot despite his first round loss at the Paris Masters.
American Bob Bryan continues to be the top doubles player in the world
Friday, November 04, 2005
Sania, Bhupathi to play in Siliguri
SILIGURI, Nov. 4. – Sania Mirza, Sikha Uberoi, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi will take part in the Videocon one-day invitational tennis meet – the first of its kind in the north-east – at the Siliguri Indoor Stadium on 30 November.
Announcing this at press conference here today, the West Bengal Urban Development Minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya said: “It will be a three-match tournament. Sania and Bopanna will play Uberoi and Bhupathi in a mixed doubles match, while Mirza will take on Uberoi, and Bopanna will face Bhupathi in two singles matches.” Sourav Ganguly will be present at the awards function. The champions will get the Videocon Trophy and Rs 10 lakh. Mr Bhattacharya and Siliguri mayor Prof. Bikash Ghosh, will be part of the organising committee, while tennis legend Jaideep Mukerjea has been appointed the technical director. A synthetic court will be brought from Bangalore for the tournament. Part of the proceeds will go to the national deaf sports fund. One thousand tickets will be sold only Rs 25 for students. The rest will be sold at Rs 50 each. Tickets will be available at the Kanchenjungha Stadium from a week before the tournament.
Announcing this at press conference here today, the West Bengal Urban Development Minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya said: “It will be a three-match tournament. Sania and Bopanna will play Uberoi and Bhupathi in a mixed doubles match, while Mirza will take on Uberoi, and Bopanna will face Bhupathi in two singles matches.” Sourav Ganguly will be present at the awards function. The champions will get the Videocon Trophy and Rs 10 lakh. Mr Bhattacharya and Siliguri mayor Prof. Bikash Ghosh, will be part of the organising committee, while tennis legend Jaideep Mukerjea has been appointed the technical director. A synthetic court will be brought from Bangalore for the tournament. Part of the proceeds will go to the national deaf sports fund. One thousand tickets will be sold only Rs 25 for students. The rest will be sold at Rs 50 each. Tickets will be available at the Kanchenjungha Stadium from a week before the tournament.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Sania Cuts Stereotypes
India has a new icon, and she's not a cricket player or a Bollywood starlet. She's a tennis player.
Sania Mirza seems to be everywhere these days in her country: posing on magazine covers, promoting health campaigns and endorsing everything from cars to clothing. All the while she's fending off hostile Muslim leaders who say her revealing on-court outfits are an affront to the religion.
For decades, top tennis players have been big stars in the West. In India, the only sports celebrities to capture the nation's imagination have been cricket greats.
That is, until 18-year-old Mirza started swinging her racket, last year becoming the first Indian woman to crack the top 40 in the rankings.
In a little more than a year, she has emerged as a role model for millions of young Indians, boys as well as girls. They see in her rise a reflection of their own desire to succeed in a world where they have countless more opportunities than their parents had.
Mirza's success "cuts the stereotype of Indian women in the world _ that they can only look pretty and are homemakers," said Astha Rawat, a 20-year-old college student.
Or, as 18-year-old Anshu Bhushan, put it: "She makes us all Indians feel proud."
Mirza's aggressive on-court style in many ways mirrors India's growing profile on the international stage and plays well with the country's rising middle class.
As the Indian economy has opened, satellite television channels, Western films and glitzy malls bursting with clothes from Europe and the United States have succeeded in prying open the more hidebound sections of Indian society, exposing a world where girls can compete in every sphere, including sports.
"Sania symbolizes the new India, which is more aggressive, more assertive, ready to take on competition as it comes," said M. N. Panini, sociology professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. She "represents India's rising middle class _ their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations."
Mirza's gung-ho attitude is clear. After one recent match, she said: "I enjoy hitting the ball as hard as I can. I enjoy taking risks. And I believe you always have to take risks."
While such bravado clearly plays well with fans, it has gotten her only so far on the court.
In August, she became the first Indian woman to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam, but made it no further in the U.S. Open, losing to Maria Sharapova, then ranked No. 1.
She is now ranked No. 34 on the WTA Tour, up from No. 326 a little more than a year ago.
Mirza's progress has been dogged every step of the way by the Indian media. Her glittering nose ring and short skirts and T-shirts on the court have all served as fodder for gossip columns and TV talks shows. Fan mail, blogs and Web sites have proliferated.
Mirza's security has tightened in recent months _ armed police now trail her whenever she leaves her home in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad
"She may not win the trophy every time, but because of her attitude she's won peoples' hearts," said Abhilasha Kumari, a communications professor at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi.
But Mirza's growing popularity has become a cause of concern among sections of the country's orthodox Muslim clergy, who say she is leading young Muslims, especially girls, astray.
India's Sunni Ulema Board, a Muslim organization, last month issued an edict demanding she cover up during her matches. The group described her tennis clothes _ usually a short skirt teamed with a midriff-revealing T-shirt _ as "un-Islamic."
Mirza at the time refused to comment, but she later said her clothing was appropriate and required for the game. Her response echoed the tussle many young Indians in a fast-modernizing society have with their own orthodox parents and religious leaders.
"She's awesome," said Akshay Rawat, an 18-year-old student. "I like the way she's handled the problems she's faced, whether it's the clerics or the money hassles. It shows you can make it if you try really hard."
Sania still 34th in singles, moves up in doubles
Recuperating from the back injury which has kept her out of action, tennis ace Sania Mirza clung on to her 34th place in this week's WTA singles rankings.
The Hyderabadi girl, who hopes to break into top 15 next year, boasts of 929.75 ranking points, according to information received here.
Sania, who was here last week, exuded confidence that it would take another couple of weeks to overcome the injury and said she would return to the international circuit in January next year .
Meanwhile, US-based Shikha Uberoi (251.70) has moved three places up the ladder to finish 142nd while veteran Rushmi Chakravarthi (63.75) made a significant jump, moving to 362nd place from her previous week's 414th position.
Fed Cupper Ankita Bhambri leapfrogged a hundred places to finish 396, while her sister Sanaa jumped 37 places to end up 434th.
In doubles, Sania moved one rung up to the 113th place. Her compatriot Shikha Uberoi is at 150, followed by Rushmi Chakravarthi (294), Sanaa (298) and Ankita Bhambri (299).
The Hyderabadi girl, who hopes to break into top 15 next year, boasts of 929.75 ranking points, according to information received here.
Sania, who was here last week, exuded confidence that it would take another couple of weeks to overcome the injury and said she would return to the international circuit in January next year .
Meanwhile, US-based Shikha Uberoi (251.70) has moved three places up the ladder to finish 142nd while veteran Rushmi Chakravarthi (63.75) made a significant jump, moving to 362nd place from her previous week's 414th position.
Fed Cupper Ankita Bhambri leapfrogged a hundred places to finish 396, while her sister Sanaa jumped 37 places to end up 434th.
In doubles, Sania moved one rung up to the 113th place. Her compatriot Shikha Uberoi is at 150, followed by Rushmi Chakravarthi (294), Sanaa (298) and Ankita Bhambri (299).
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Sania Mirza serves against Melinda Czink of Hungary in the second round singles of Sunfeast WTA Open tournament in Calcutta, India, Wednesday, in this Sept. 21, 2005, file photo. Mirza, India's teen tennis star, is seemingly everywhere these days in India; posing on magazine covers; pushing health campaigns, endorsing everything from cars to clothing and fending off hostile Muslim leaders who say her revealing on-court outfits are an affront to the religion. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
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