Fitness worries force Sania to take an extended break

NEW DELHI: Fitness issues have forced Sania Mirza to go for an extended break from tennis. With the French Open just a month from now, Sania will, in all probability, take to the Roland Garros courts without proper match practice. The French Open begins on May 28.

"I am taking two to three weeks of rest to regain my fitness," said Sania. Despite a string of injuries, with wrist problem being the main concern, Sania joined the National team for the Fed Cup Asia Oceania zonal qualifying tournament in Seoul last week. India reached the final before losing to Australia 2-1 in which Sania lost the crucial singles against Samantha Stosur.

"We should be happy that we advanced so far in the tournament," Sania said. Though India fell at the final hurdle, "it was a great outing and we played some good hard tennis," she added.

Not at her best

Sania said that her fitness problem may have affected India's performance to some extent, but it was one of those days when she was not in her peak shape. "But I really wanted to be part of the team. I loved the whole team spirit and the atmosphere at the Fed Cup," Sania said.

"We are going to try hard next time and hope to do better," she said.

Sania landed here with the team late on Monday night and stayed over to fulfil her sponsorship duties. On Wednesday, Sania launched her `Summer 06 Signature Collection' of Lotto sports attire.

Eyeing Asiad

For Sania, her next assignment for the country will be the Doha Asian Games in December. "I am really looking forward to the Asian Games and winning a medal for the country," Sania said. "I am sure we (India) will have strong teams in both the men's and women's sections at Doha," she added.

Currently 40th on the WTA Tour rankings, Sania said that the second year on the circuit had been much tougher. "It gets harder at the top as the competition is so deep," she said.

On her contracting Asif Ismail as hitting partner, Sania said it was just that she clicked with him well and decided to join hands. "I needed someone with whom I could hit hard and Asif is the kind of player I was looking for."