When the rest of the world was busy singing carols and unwrapping presents to celebrate Christmas last week, sex clip-makers, too, were celebrating the season… by forwarding each other what they called a “special ‘Season’s Greetings’ treat” featuring a lookalike of Indian tennis’s find of the decade — Sania Mirza.
The 12-minute clip features a girl who resembles Sania Mirza (complete with a nose ring) hiking through an unidentifiable place in the woods wearing pink briefs and a sleeveless white T-shirt, walking hand in hand with an unidentifiable male. It also features a third character, who follows the couple and films them in the forest.
The clip first came into circulation in Mumbai and on the Net around the first week of December. It became a big hit around Christmas when college students began forwarding it to each other as a Christmas and early New Year ‘gift’. The MMS is available for download but only for ‘premium’ members and costs US$20-30 (Rs 950-1,400).
Unlike other MMS clips that are circulated every now and then, this one mentions the subject’s name — however, in the caption that runs through the clip, the name is ‘Sania Mirsa’ not ‘Mirza’. There is a logo in Telugu towards the top of the clip.
Some of the people who have seen the clip claim that it is difficult to morph a clip of this length. However, others believe that the girl in the clip has been chosen to resemble the real Sania as closely as possible.
Either way, this is not one of those amateurish clips that are created by sticking a famous face to a non-famous body; it was meant to be peddled as a voyeur show.
When contacted, Globosport, the firm that manages Sania, said it was not aware of the MMS clip and would only comment after seeing it.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Monday, December 26, 2005
Super girl
From tennis postergirl to a serious threat to Serena Williams, Sania Mirza stays in the limelight
Year 2005 will be remembered as the year, Sania Mirza, 18, hit it big when she entered the third round of the Australian Open and went down to Serena Williams, but only after a spirited fight. Mirza emerged not just a superb sportsperson, but a youth icon, a brand in her own right.
Advertisers and marketing gurus see Mirza as a role model for the young. She personifies the ‘New Indian’ — someone with tremendous energy and self-confidence and the desire to excel.
Apart from glamour, Mirza possesses a simple, wholesome charm that comes out of sheer earnestness. There is a down-to-earth quality to her, which goes beyond the transitory appeal typical of models. Mirza is for real.
After zooming from anonymity into the hearts of her nation in 10 months, India’s teenage tennis sensation was caught up in a cultural protest for breaking the mould by being a Muslim athlete. The 18-year-old Mirza surmounted religious barriers to surge from 206 in the women’s world rankings last December to 34 this year.
From now on, Mirza aims to get a direct seeding in Grand Slams and big events. Mirza, who is hungry for more, says that she would be a more determined player over the next 12 months.
URL: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=112513
Year 2005 will be remembered as the year, Sania Mirza, 18, hit it big when she entered the third round of the Australian Open and went down to Serena Williams, but only after a spirited fight. Mirza emerged not just a superb sportsperson, but a youth icon, a brand in her own right.
Advertisers and marketing gurus see Mirza as a role model for the young. She personifies the ‘New Indian’ — someone with tremendous energy and self-confidence and the desire to excel.
Apart from glamour, Mirza possesses a simple, wholesome charm that comes out of sheer earnestness. There is a down-to-earth quality to her, which goes beyond the transitory appeal typical of models. Mirza is for real.
After zooming from anonymity into the hearts of her nation in 10 months, India’s teenage tennis sensation was caught up in a cultural protest for breaking the mould by being a Muslim athlete. The 18-year-old Mirza surmounted religious barriers to surge from 206 in the women’s world rankings last December to 34 this year.
From now on, Mirza aims to get a direct seeding in Grand Slams and big events. Mirza, who is hungry for more, says that she would be a more determined player over the next 12 months.
URL: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=112513
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Speculation on Sania's participation in AISF meet
Will tennis sensation Sania Mirza participate in 26th All India Student Federation meet here from January 3-6? Handbills and wall writings by the AISF Thanjavur and Tiruchirapalli units claim that she will do so.
The posters and wall writings claim that Sania will be among the 12 VIP participants, one of whom will be A B Bardhan, CPI General secretary.
The Party’s organ Janasakthi also claims that Sania will be participating in the conference.
It may be recalled that the AISF and CPI had spoken in support of Sania when some fundementalists protested against her tennis attire and issued threats to her. Speaking to PTI, AISF Tiruchirapalli unit secretary Shivakumar claimed that Sania had consented to participate in the conference, though she was not an AISF member. "This will inspire those attending the conference," he said.
The posters and wall writings claim that Sania will be among the 12 VIP participants, one of whom will be A B Bardhan, CPI General secretary.
The Party’s organ Janasakthi also claims that Sania will be participating in the conference.
It may be recalled that the AISF and CPI had spoken in support of Sania when some fundementalists protested against her tennis attire and issued threats to her. Speaking to PTI, AISF Tiruchirapalli unit secretary Shivakumar claimed that Sania had consented to participate in the conference, though she was not an AISF member. "This will inspire those attending the conference," he said.
Sania ready for the new season
Having completed a fruitful training stint with renowned coach Tony Roche, Sania Mirza is ready to return to the courts with renewed vigour.
The 19-year-old Indian ace, who hit the headlines with her aggressive brand of tennis past season, says the three-week programme in Australia with the legendary Roche has whetted her appetite and she is keen to add more colourful chapters to her career that has had a fairy tale start.
Sania, who rose from 166 to a career high 31 in world rankings in 2005, will kick start the season with a high profile exhibition event in Hong Kong from January 4.
The eight-player invitational event will feature the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, and Kim Clijsters among others.
"Having been away from competitive tennis for a while, I am looking forward immensely to getting back on the circuit ... I am looking forward to playing the Big Girls," Sania told PTI from Sydney.
The Hyderabadi will then play the USD 600,000 tournament at Sydney from January nine before entering the Australian Open starting on January 16.
Sania, who reached the third round at the season's first Grand Slam last time when she played as a wild card, said she was aware of people's expectations following her breakthrough year.
"People have had expectations from me even when I was 10 years old. I try to switch off but you are right, it isn't always easy to do that because the expectations are really mounting," said the first Indian woman to win a Tour title. The stint with Roche should have prepared her for the tough weeks ahead. She has spent five hours each day on court with the 60-year-old Aussie, who won seven singles titles and recently coached men's world number one Roger Federer.
She was under the direct supervision of Roche and had Australia's Sophie Ferguson as hitting partner. "He (Roche) worked on my overall game with a special emphasis on the serve and volley," Sania said.
So, how good was Roche after all? Was he better than Bob Brett? "I don't think I know enough about the game to actually think of comparing these coaches who are legends," the teenager said.
"But the impression I got about Roche is that he is one who likes to add to a player's repertoire rather than change his or her style of play." Sania also had a special trainer, 23-year-old Aussie Jade Hottes, to work on her fitness during the stay in Sydney.
"I trained with her for an hour before morning session and another hour after I finished the afternoon session. She was with me on court too, attending to my niggling pains and aches and has been of great help," Sania said about Hottes who is scheduled to be with her till the Australian Open.
"It was hard work. Five hours on the court in temperatures of 38 degrees and then two hours of training in the gym or other workouts.
Sania said the back sprain that forced her to pull out of a Tour event in Bangkok in October was healed. "Initially (during the programme) a little bit but it is standing up well now and I feel no pain. I would say it is healed," she said.
Although it was a three week stay, Roche worked with her for a schedule of 15 days as he was off on weekends, when the flamboyant teenager also took time off to visit nearby places.
An interesting tennis personality accompanying Sania and her father Imran Mirza, who was with her during the programme throughout, was Bob Giltinan who reached the men's semifinals of the Australian Open in 1978.
"We had dinner with Bob Giltinan, who is my father's friend, in a riverside restaurant with his family. We went to Roche's house for a barbecue and also spent time with some Indian friends. And did some shopping with Lara Giltinan." Sania, thrilled with her stint with Roche, hoped that this would not be the first and last time she worked with the legend.
"As a person, he is very special and an absolutely wonderful human being ... I hope to con sult him as and when I feel the need, provided he can spare the time," she said.
And what did Roche have to say on her game? "He felt he did not need to work too much on my ground strokes and is pleased with my improvement in the serve and volley. He feels that in order to go to next level, I need to get physically stronger.
The 19-year-old Indian ace, who hit the headlines with her aggressive brand of tennis past season, says the three-week programme in Australia with the legendary Roche has whetted her appetite and she is keen to add more colourful chapters to her career that has had a fairy tale start.
Sania, who rose from 166 to a career high 31 in world rankings in 2005, will kick start the season with a high profile exhibition event in Hong Kong from January 4.
The eight-player invitational event will feature the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, and Kim Clijsters among others.
"Having been away from competitive tennis for a while, I am looking forward immensely to getting back on the circuit ... I am looking forward to playing the Big Girls," Sania told PTI from Sydney.
The Hyderabadi will then play the USD 600,000 tournament at Sydney from January nine before entering the Australian Open starting on January 16.
Sania, who reached the third round at the season's first Grand Slam last time when she played as a wild card, said she was aware of people's expectations following her breakthrough year.
"People have had expectations from me even when I was 10 years old. I try to switch off but you are right, it isn't always easy to do that because the expectations are really mounting," said the first Indian woman to win a Tour title. The stint with Roche should have prepared her for the tough weeks ahead. She has spent five hours each day on court with the 60-year-old Aussie, who won seven singles titles and recently coached men's world number one Roger Federer.
She was under the direct supervision of Roche and had Australia's Sophie Ferguson as hitting partner. "He (Roche) worked on my overall game with a special emphasis on the serve and volley," Sania said.
So, how good was Roche after all? Was he better than Bob Brett? "I don't think I know enough about the game to actually think of comparing these coaches who are legends," the teenager said.
"But the impression I got about Roche is that he is one who likes to add to a player's repertoire rather than change his or her style of play." Sania also had a special trainer, 23-year-old Aussie Jade Hottes, to work on her fitness during the stay in Sydney.
"I trained with her for an hour before morning session and another hour after I finished the afternoon session. She was with me on court too, attending to my niggling pains and aches and has been of great help," Sania said about Hottes who is scheduled to be with her till the Australian Open.
"It was hard work. Five hours on the court in temperatures of 38 degrees and then two hours of training in the gym or other workouts.
Sania said the back sprain that forced her to pull out of a Tour event in Bangkok in October was healed. "Initially (during the programme) a little bit but it is standing up well now and I feel no pain. I would say it is healed," she said.
Although it was a three week stay, Roche worked with her for a schedule of 15 days as he was off on weekends, when the flamboyant teenager also took time off to visit nearby places.
An interesting tennis personality accompanying Sania and her father Imran Mirza, who was with her during the programme throughout, was Bob Giltinan who reached the men's semifinals of the Australian Open in 1978.
"We had dinner with Bob Giltinan, who is my father's friend, in a riverside restaurant with his family. We went to Roche's house for a barbecue and also spent time with some Indian friends. And did some shopping with Lara Giltinan." Sania, thrilled with her stint with Roche, hoped that this would not be the first and last time she worked with the legend.
"As a person, he is very special and an absolutely wonderful human being ... I hope to con sult him as and when I feel the need, provided he can spare the time," she said.
And what did Roche have to say on her game? "He felt he did not need to work too much on my ground strokes and is pleased with my improvement in the serve and volley. He feels that in order to go to next level, I need to get physically stronger.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Sania Mania in Ferozeshah Kotla
New Delhi: Amid the cricket fever surrounding the second India-Sri Lanka Test match at the Ferozeshah Kotla, the roaring crowd at the stadium seemed smitten by Sania Mania as well.
She might be recuperating from a back injury and planning to finetune her erratic serve under the supervision of Tony Roche but the spectators today got a glimpse of the tennis sensation, peeping from a poster and caught by the television camera.
A Sania fan was spotted among the 20,000-odd crowd at the stadium, displaying a poster of the tennis sensation when the India bowlers were going after the Lankan batting line-up in their second innings in a different ball game altogether.
She might be recuperating from a back injury and planning to finetune her erratic serve under the supervision of Tony Roche but the spectators today got a glimpse of the tennis sensation, peeping from a poster and caught by the television camera.
A Sania fan was spotted among the 20,000-odd crowd at the stadium, displaying a poster of the tennis sensation when the India bowlers were going after the Lankan batting line-up in their second innings in a different ball game altogether.
Lotto bets big on Sania Mirza
Looking to cash in on the huge fan following of Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza, Italian sports wear company Lotto has launched the star's signature collection of sportswear in the domestic market and would be introducing it in the international markets by fall winter of 2006.
The company is also planning to open another 25-30 exclusive Lotto outlets in India next year as a part of expansion.
"The Sania Mirza signature collection is a women's range and at the moment the priority would be to promote it in the Indian market," Sierra Industrial Enterprises (licensee of Lotto Sport Italia) CEO Jaswant Singh told PTI.
He, however, said the company had plans to take the collection to the Middle East and Far East markets, where Indian-origin population is considerable. "By the fall winter of 2006, the signature collection range should be in those markets," Singh said.
On the domestic front, he said the company was looking to boost sales from women's products category and would also open more exclusive outlets.
"As of now, sales from women's range contribute about 30 per cent of our total sales. Going forward we want to make it 50:50 between men's and women's product range," he said.
Singh said the company would add three more exclusive outlets in December, while it planned to add 25-30 more in the next year.
He, however, declined to specify investments on retail expansion, as it would "be done through franchisees". Singh said the company was looking at a double-digit growth in the next year.
The company is also planning to open another 25-30 exclusive Lotto outlets in India next year as a part of expansion.
"The Sania Mirza signature collection is a women's range and at the moment the priority would be to promote it in the Indian market," Sierra Industrial Enterprises (licensee of Lotto Sport Italia) CEO Jaswant Singh told PTI.
He, however, said the company had plans to take the collection to the Middle East and Far East markets, where Indian-origin population is considerable. "By the fall winter of 2006, the signature collection range should be in those markets," Singh said.
On the domestic front, he said the company was looking to boost sales from women's products category and would also open more exclusive outlets.
"As of now, sales from women's range contribute about 30 per cent of our total sales. Going forward we want to make it 50:50 between men's and women's product range," he said.
Singh said the company would add three more exclusive outlets in December, while it planned to add 25-30 more in the next year.
He, however, declined to specify investments on retail expansion, as it would "be done through franchisees". Singh said the company was looking at a double-digit growth in the next year.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
Sania hangs on to 34th
New Delhi: Recuperating from a back injury, India's tennis ace Sania Mirza hangs on to 34th in singles in the latest WTA rankings released todayThe 19-year-old Hyderabadi, who has not played competitive tennis for the last two months after she pulled out of Bangkok Open in October, also retains her 114th place in doubles, according to information received here.
Lindsay Davenport holds on to top spot as there was no WTA events in the past week.
All other Indians -- US-based Shikha Uberoi (155th), veteran Fed Cupper Rushmi (367th) and Ankita Bhambri (387th) -- remained static at their previous week's WTA rankings.
In ATP rankings, highest ranking Indian Harsh Mankad is static at 223rd, while Prakash Amritraj (268th) and Karan Rastogi (367th) moved up one place.
The only Indian to slip down is Rohan Bopanna from previous 275th to 276th.
Lindsay Davenport holds on to top spot as there was no WTA events in the past week.
All other Indians -- US-based Shikha Uberoi (155th), veteran Fed Cupper Rushmi (367th) and Ankita Bhambri (387th) -- remained static at their previous week's WTA rankings.
In ATP rankings, highest ranking Indian Harsh Mankad is static at 223rd, while Prakash Amritraj (268th) and Karan Rastogi (367th) moved up one place.
The only Indian to slip down is Rohan Bopanna from previous 275th to 276th.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
‘Sania on right path’
MAGGLINGEN (Switzerland), Dec. 6. — Indian star Sania Mirza’s self-confessed idol is Steffi Graf. And Boris Becker cannot be too far behind in the estimation of any tennis player. What should be heartening for the Indian star is the fact that the German icon is aware of her growing stature in the world of tennis.
Asked whether he knew about the latest Indian sensation, Becker said he had seen her play. “She is talented and is going the right way. She has to keep on working hard to break into the top 10,” he quipped with a smile.
Asked whether he knew about the latest Indian sensation, Becker said he had seen her play. “She is talented and is going the right way. She has to keep on working hard to break into the top 10,” he quipped with a smile.
Monday, December 05, 2005
India's top tennis player Sania Mirza serves during her mix-doubles exhibition match against former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek and Michaella
India's top tennis player Sania Mirza serves during her mix-doubles exhibition match against former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek and Michaella Krajicek (not pictured) of The Netherlands in New Delhi December 4, 2005. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Sania Mirza reacts during her mix-doubles exhibition match
top tennis player Sania Mirza reacts during her mix-doubles exhibition match against former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek and Michaella Krajicek of The Netherlands in New Delhi December 4, 2005. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Sania Mirza laughs after a news conference in New Delhi December 2, 2005
India's top tennis player Sania Mirza laughs after a news conference in New Delhi December 2, 2005. Mirza's impressive career began as a wild card at the Australian Open, where she became the first Indian woman to reach a Grand Slam singles third round before she ran into eventual champion Serena Williams. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Sania Mirza listens to a question at a news conference in New Delhi December 2, 2005
India's top tennis player Sania Mirza listens to a question at a news conference in New Delhi December 2, 2005. Mirza's impressive career began as a wild card at the Australian Open, where she became the first Indian woman to reach a Grand Slam singles third round before she ran into eventual champion Serena Williams. REUTERS/Adnan AbidiWTA rankings: Sania slips down to 34
Almost two months of inactivity due to a back injury took its toll on Sania Mirza as the tennis ace slipped two rungs down the ladder to 34 in the latest WTA rankings released today.
The sizzling 19-year old has not played competitive tennis since she pulled out the Bangkok Open in October.
One woman's loss is another's gain and Russian Anna Chakvetadze displaced Sania form 32nd position while Spain's Anabel M Garriguess pushed the Indian further down to 34th.Lindsay Davenport rules the roost as there is little action in the end of the year.
The downward spiral continued in doubles, and former Junior Wimbeldon Champion Sania dropped a place to 114, according to information received here.
Elsewhere, rankings also disappointed Shikha Uberoi as the US-based Indian dropped to 155th place from previous week's 146th.
Veteran Fed Cupper Rushmi, meanwhile, gained three spots to 367th and Ankita Bhambri moved a place up to 387th.
In ATP Entry rankings, highest ranking Indian Harsh Mankad gained three positions to 223rd while Prakash Amritraj (269th), Rohan Bopanna (275th) and sensational Karan Rastogi clung to their respective positions.
The sizzling 19-year old has not played competitive tennis since she pulled out the Bangkok Open in October.
One woman's loss is another's gain and Russian Anna Chakvetadze displaced Sania form 32nd position while Spain's Anabel M Garriguess pushed the Indian further down to 34th.Lindsay Davenport rules the roost as there is little action in the end of the year.
The downward spiral continued in doubles, and former Junior Wimbeldon Champion Sania dropped a place to 114, according to information received here.
Elsewhere, rankings also disappointed Shikha Uberoi as the US-based Indian dropped to 155th place from previous week's 146th.
Veteran Fed Cupper Rushmi, meanwhile, gained three spots to 367th and Ankita Bhambri moved a place up to 387th.
In ATP Entry rankings, highest ranking Indian Harsh Mankad gained three positions to 223rd while Prakash Amritraj (269th), Rohan Bopanna (275th) and sensational Karan Rastogi clung to their respective positions.
Sania bumps off Aishwarya on Google
Here's further proof of Sania-mania in this country, if any more was needed: Sania is not just the apple of the television viewer and newspaper reader's eye she is also the netizen's favourite subject. The 19-year-old tennis player is the most searched personality on Google India so far in 2005.
Sania has been a hot favourite this year, consistently ahead of film star Aishwarya Rai and even beating India's most-loved cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, to remain on top of Google's zeitgeist list.
Zeitgeist is German for 'spirit (geist) of the time (zeit)' and is a term for the current ethos or cultural climate. Less philosophically, the term is also used for one helluva big media phenomenon.
Sania, the list indicates, is a reflection of India's spirit in 2005. For Sania, 2005 was a year of achievements. The Hyderabadi became the first Indian woman to get to the fourth round of the US Open, losing to world number one Maria Sharapova.
In January she had reached the third round of the Australian Open where she lost to Serena Williams but won the American's praise for her strokes as well as the prediction of a bright future.
Sania is currently ranked world number 32, the top-ranked Indian woman in tennis.
The only times this year that Sania didn't top the list were January-February, when the term 'tsunami' was more searched than her, and July and September, when the tech term 'SureRoute' had her beat.
Not only did Sania top the list as the most searched personality, she also did it against tough competition from the likes of Harry Potter.
Sania has been a hot favourite this year, consistently ahead of film star Aishwarya Rai and even beating India's most-loved cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, to remain on top of Google's zeitgeist list.
Zeitgeist is German for 'spirit (geist) of the time (zeit)' and is a term for the current ethos or cultural climate. Less philosophically, the term is also used for one helluva big media phenomenon.
Sania, the list indicates, is a reflection of India's spirit in 2005. For Sania, 2005 was a year of achievements. The Hyderabadi became the first Indian woman to get to the fourth round of the US Open, losing to world number one Maria Sharapova.
In January she had reached the third round of the Australian Open where she lost to Serena Williams but won the American's praise for her strokes as well as the prediction of a bright future.
Sania is currently ranked world number 32, the top-ranked Indian woman in tennis.
The only times this year that Sania didn't top the list were January-February, when the term 'tsunami' was more searched than her, and July and September, when the tech term 'SureRoute' had her beat.
Not only did Sania top the list as the most searched personality, she also did it against tough competition from the likes of Harry Potter.
Sania open to mixed doubles pairing with Mahesh
The dream pair of Sania Mirza-Mahesh Bhupathi may have lost, but the Hyderabadi girl today dropped hints that the partnership may continue in the future and the pair ''may be seen'' in action in the Grand Slams.
Speaking on the sidelines of ABN AMRO Tennis Challenge in the capital, the sizzling tennis ace said, ''It is nice to play along with Mahesh. It (the pairing) could continue even in the future. I do not exactly know when but let us see.'' Sania, making a come back from an injury layoff, paired with nine-time Grandslam winner Mahesh to take on Richard and Michaella Krajicek today. The pair lost 6-7 (5-7) in a closely fought match.
Recently Mahesh had said that he and Sania would play mixed doubles in the Doha Asiad next year.
Speaking on the sidelines of ABN AMRO Tennis Challenge in the capital, the sizzling tennis ace said, ''It is nice to play along with Mahesh. It (the pairing) could continue even in the future. I do not exactly know when but let us see.'' Sania, making a come back from an injury layoff, paired with nine-time Grandslam winner Mahesh to take on Richard and Michaella Krajicek today. The pair lost 6-7 (5-7) in a closely fought match.
Recently Mahesh had said that he and Sania would play mixed doubles in the Doha Asiad next year.
Sania is star at children's event
New Delhi: Teen sensation Sania Mirza was the star attraction at a gathering of about 100 children who got to play shots with her and tennis champions like Mahesh Bhupathi, Richard Krajice and Shikha Uberoi. The event was a kids' clinic on the sidelines of the ABN AMRO Tennis challenge the four players graced.
"It was an enjoyable outing, a chance to maybe inspire these kids who look up to players like us. It was fun to be involved with all these enthusiastic youngsters," Sania Mirza told reporters.
She volleyed with the children, some of whom were even unable to put racquet to ball, as she encouraged them. On occasions she even walked across the net to the other side to point out flaws in technique.
All the children got an opportunity to play with the four professionals on different courts. A picnic atmosphere surrounded the event that lasted about two hours after a late start on a chilly winter morning.
"This was a great opportunity for the kids. It must have been fun for them to run between all the courts but we had fun in the process as well," said Bhupathi. "This is our turn to give back to the game and hopefully inspire a few of them to go all the way."
With a few fun events thrown in to enthuse the kids, they were kept on their toes. The day's proceedings finally culminated in an autograph signing session with all four players.
"I have admired Sania and it feels so good to play with her. It was so exciting and I was really looking forward to this," said nine-year-old Saysha, who has been playing for two-and-a-half years.
While Saysha went back home richer by the experience and a card that was autographed by all four tennis professionals, others got their autographs on tennis balls and mugs.
"Initially I was nervous and my father was pushing me to get on to the court. But once inside the players helped me relax and concentrate on hitting the ball back," said eight-year-old Noor.
"I want to come back tomorrow (Sunday) and watch all four of them in action in the celebrity match."
"It was an enjoyable outing, a chance to maybe inspire these kids who look up to players like us. It was fun to be involved with all these enthusiastic youngsters," Sania Mirza told reporters.
She volleyed with the children, some of whom were even unable to put racquet to ball, as she encouraged them. On occasions she even walked across the net to the other side to point out flaws in technique.
All the children got an opportunity to play with the four professionals on different courts. A picnic atmosphere surrounded the event that lasted about two hours after a late start on a chilly winter morning.
"This was a great opportunity for the kids. It must have been fun for them to run between all the courts but we had fun in the process as well," said Bhupathi. "This is our turn to give back to the game and hopefully inspire a few of them to go all the way."
With a few fun events thrown in to enthuse the kids, they were kept on their toes. The day's proceedings finally culminated in an autograph signing session with all four players.
"I have admired Sania and it feels so good to play with her. It was so exciting and I was really looking forward to this," said nine-year-old Saysha, who has been playing for two-and-a-half years.
While Saysha went back home richer by the experience and a card that was autographed by all four tennis professionals, others got their autographs on tennis balls and mugs.
"Initially I was nervous and my father was pushing me to get on to the court. But once inside the players helped me relax and concentrate on hitting the ball back," said eight-year-old Noor.
"I want to come back tomorrow (Sunday) and watch all four of them in action in the celebrity match."
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Friday, December 02, 2005
Sania to use celebrity match to test her fitness
Sania Mirza today said she would use the celebrity mixed doubles match on the sidelines of the ABN Amro Tennis Challenge to test her fitness before she returns to competitive tennis.
Sania, who has been resting since a lower back strain forced her to pull out of a Tour event in October, said she had not fully recovered but her plan to train under revered Australian coach Tony Roche was on track.
"I am going to Australia to work with Tony Roche. I am getting there. I am not perfectly fit ... I will use this match as a kind of testing my back," said Sania.
The ABN Amro Challenge with a total prize money of USD 15,000 is a men's event featuring the top eight players of the country to be held tomorrow and the day after.
The winner of the event would earn a qualifying round wild card for the ABN Amro ATP Tour event in Rotterdam, Holland, in February next year.
Sania would be playing alongside Mahesh Bhupathi against Fed Cup teammate Shikha Uberoi and the 1996 Dutch Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who is the brand ambassador of ABN Amro and Tournament Director of the Rotterdam event.
Asked if she would treat the match as a competitive one, Sania said "I am so excited (about the event), I really don't know. I think if it is India vs Holland it would be competitive." Bhupathi parried the question on playing with Sania at Grand Slams and other professional events.
"It is a question of when and where," he said.
Sania, who has been resting since a lower back strain forced her to pull out of a Tour event in October, said she had not fully recovered but her plan to train under revered Australian coach Tony Roche was on track.
"I am going to Australia to work with Tony Roche. I am getting there. I am not perfectly fit ... I will use this match as a kind of testing my back," said Sania.
The ABN Amro Challenge with a total prize money of USD 15,000 is a men's event featuring the top eight players of the country to be held tomorrow and the day after.
The winner of the event would earn a qualifying round wild card for the ABN Amro ATP Tour event in Rotterdam, Holland, in February next year.
Sania would be playing alongside Mahesh Bhupathi against Fed Cup teammate Shikha Uberoi and the 1996 Dutch Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who is the brand ambassador of ABN Amro and Tournament Director of the Rotterdam event.
Asked if she would treat the match as a competitive one, Sania said "I am so excited (about the event), I really don't know. I think if it is India vs Holland it would be competitive." Bhupathi parried the question on playing with Sania at Grand Slams and other professional events.
"It is a question of when and where," he said.
Sania to use celebrity match to test her fitness
Sania Mirza today said she would use the celebrity mixed doubles match on the sidelines of the ABN Amro Tennis Challenge to test her fitness before she returns to competitive tennis.
Sania, who has been resting since a lower back strain forced her to pull out of a Tour event in October, said she had not fully recovered but her plan to train under revered Australian coach Tony Roche was on track.
"I am going to Australia to work with Tony Roche. I am getting there. I am not perfectly fit ... I will use this match as a kind of testing my back," said Sania.
The ABN Amro Challenge with a total prize money of USD 15,000 is a men's event featuring the top eight players of the country to be held tomorrow and the day after.
The winner of the event would earn a qualifying round wild card for the ABN Amro ATP Tour event in Rotterdam, Holland, in February next year.
Sania would be playing alongside Mahesh Bhupathi against Fed Cup teammate Shikha Uberoi and the 1996 Dutch Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who is the brand ambassador of ABN Amro and Tournament Director of the Rotterdam event.
Asked if she would treat the match as a competitive one, Sania said "I am so excited (about the event), I really don't know. I think if it is India vs Holland it would be competitive." Bhupathi parried the question on playing with Sania at Grand Slams and other professional events.
"It is a question of when and where," he said.
Sania, who has been resting since a lower back strain forced her to pull out of a Tour event in October, said she had not fully recovered but her plan to train under revered Australian coach Tony Roche was on track.
"I am going to Australia to work with Tony Roche. I am getting there. I am not perfectly fit ... I will use this match as a kind of testing my back," said Sania.
The ABN Amro Challenge with a total prize money of USD 15,000 is a men's event featuring the top eight players of the country to be held tomorrow and the day after.
The winner of the event would earn a qualifying round wild card for the ABN Amro ATP Tour event in Rotterdam, Holland, in February next year.
Sania would be playing alongside Mahesh Bhupathi against Fed Cup teammate Shikha Uberoi and the 1996 Dutch Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who is the brand ambassador of ABN Amro and Tournament Director of the Rotterdam event.
Asked if she would treat the match as a competitive one, Sania said "I am so excited (about the event), I really don't know. I think if it is India vs Holland it would be competitive." Bhupathi parried the question on playing with Sania at Grand Slams and other professional events.
"It is a question of when and where," he said.
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