Sania aims for a Grand Slam seeding

HONG KONG: Tennis ace Sania Mirza hopes to build on her phenomenal performance on the circuit last year by consolidating her rankings, going for seedings in the Grand Slams — and staying supremely fit. Addressing a press conference ahead of the Watsons Water Champions Challenge tournament in Hong Kong on Monday, she acknowledged that her second year on the top circuit would be a lot tougher than her first.

“Last year, I accomplished whatever goals I set for myself and, in fact, exceeded my expectations,” she said. “This year, I have a lot of points to defend, and it’s not going to be easy.” Nevertheless, she’s looking to consolidate her rankings — “I want to remain in the top 35” — and try and get seeded in the Grand Slams.

Mirza, who’s been working on her fitness and other aspects of the game with Australian trainer Tony Roche, said she was also looking to stay as fit as possible this year and not let injuries force her off the circuit, as happened for nearly four months in 2005.

“My injuries last year had nothing to do with my fitness levels,” she emphasised. “First, I twisted my ankle — there’s nothing you can do about that — and then, in Thailand, I stretched my back because of a freak accident on court. The only thing I could have done was to have strengthened myself, and that’s what I’ve been working on. My aim for this year is to be fit: you know, try not to go out of the circuit for as long as I can.”

Noting that she had made a strong comeback every time she’d gone off the circuit, she said this time too, she was looking to start well in Hong Kong. “I don’t expect to win, but I’m here to see if I can match the world’s best players. It’s a great way to start off the year.”