'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.