Sania on dream run

 

The Asian Games were a bonus. “We didn’t go there with the best team and had to choose between the players that were there. Myself and Saketh (Myneni) together could win the gold (in the mixed doubles) for India. It’s very important to notice that we have won a medal in the women’s doubles (bronze with Prarthana Thombare) which is a first. I think that was huge for India because it shows that we’ve moved up in women’s tennis. Personally it’s been a great Asian Games but as a tennis contingent we have brought back five medals for the country,” she enthused.

Sania was all praise for Saketh. “He is very good. I think he doesn’t always play up to his capability. I don’t think he should be ranked 180 in the world, but much higher. Hopefully, this is a boost for him and he will get better from here. I think it was a dream debut for him to win a gold and a silver (with Sanam Singh in men’s doubles). I hope he cracks it up,” she said.

Sania felt her bonding with Saketh made it easy for them on court. “I know him very well. We practice together sometimes when he’s in Hyderabad. He’s a really nice guy and it’s easy to connect with him. I had a conversation with Anand Amritraj as soon as I knew that I would go to the Asian Games and we decided that Saketh would be the best bet to try and win a medal. He’s got a big serve and complemented my game. The first match was a bit patchy because we were getting used to each other but we played well as we went on,” she said.

“Every time I win a medal and the national flag goes up at the presentation ceremony it feels special,” she said.

 

With her tennis team members much younger, 27-year-old Sania felt like a veteran at the Asian Games. “I always kept saying I was always the youngest in the Indian tennis team at the Asian Games. This time I was the oldest, so it actually felt a little weird to be a veteran. They all are my sister’s age, about seven to eight years younger and were like babies to me. It was interesting but I had played with Prarthana in the Fed Cup this year and saw the potential in her. She responds very well and understands my game. I am really happy for her and hope this boosts her chances. All the five girls were good. By the next Asian Games they should be ready to win medals by themselves,” she said.

 

Having been on the circuit for a decade now, Sania has no concrete plans to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. “As a tennis player it’s difficult for us to look that far. I hope to be fit and healthy to play but it’s too far ahead in the future for me to realistically look at it. I am not young anymore in tennis years,” she said.

 

Come 2015, Sania will play the women’s doubles with a new teammate. “Next season I will play with Hsieh Su-Wei of Chinese Taipei who is currently No.4 in doubles ranking. Cara (Black, current partner) is a very dear friend of mine and I wish her well. She has had an unbelievable career, with a baby. Our relationship will continue outside the tennis court,” she said.