Scheduled to play in India for the first time in almost four years, Sania Mirza wants to prove that she still has a lot left in her.

By Bhagya Ayyavoo

Sania Mirza will have a good chance of finishing on the podium when she competes in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Can she translate home advantage into a medal? The much-talked about tennis star spoke to espnstar.com in an exclusive chat. Excerpts:

Bhagya Ayyavoo: There have been quite a few pull-outs in CWG. Any chance that you will be given the top billing in the women’s field?

Sania Mirza: I don’t think I am going to be the top seed in CWG. There aren’t many pull-outs in tennis. I think only (Elena) Baltacha pulled out recently. So I don’t think I am going to be the top seed.

BA: You’ve been a regular on the WTA Tour since the US Open? How is your game shaping up after the injury lay-off?

SM: It has been good. Obviously it’s never easy to come back from injury. Time wise, things are working well. I’ve been working hard. I had a very good tournament at the US Open. After that, I played two tournaments and had a good run in China as well. Yes, things are moving forward. I feel like I am getting better every day. The aim was to be healthy for Commonwealth Games and I am happy that I can take this week off and be ready for it.

BA: Stopping at China, that title with Edina Gallovits at the Guangzhou Open ended a long drought on the WTA Tour?

SM: Yes, of course. Winning a tournament is always very good. It doesn’t happen for most people because you have to win five to six matches in-a-row. It was my ninth WTA title. So it was a good feeling especially having struggled with my wrist so much this year and last year. It gives me a boost in confidence.

BA: You’ve partnered more than half a dozen players in Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Dushevina, Monica Niculescu, Stephanie Dubois, Emma Laine, Laura Robson, Virginie Ruano Pascual, Edina Gallovits and Maria Camerin. And you have been going deeper into tournaments with every new partner barring few failures?

SM: It’s about competing and playing well and having the belief that I can still win tournaments. People have written me off, so coming out and winning a tournament feels very good. My hard work is paying off as I am getting deeper into tournaments. There’s so much depth in women’s tennis in today’s time, so to do well one has to be physically 100% and mentally 100%. I am happy that I’m playing well. I feel like I am progressing everyday and getting better every day. I am still not at my best yet, but I think I am pretty close.

BA: All this talk about people writing you off, how hard is it for you as you’re only 23?

SM: I think everyone is entitled to an opinion. That’s fair enough. But, we have too many armchair critics. I am coming to the country after three-and-a-half months. To be honest I haven’t been reading any newspapers or watching TV. I have just come back. Honestly, I don’t play for anyone else. I play for myself, my family and for the country and that’s about it. As long as I know that I am being true to myself and am giving my 100 % every time I step on court, I think everything falls into place after that.

BA: Recently, you had tweeted about some back problem, how serious is it?

SM: I have been playing a lot. Especially in the last couple of weeks I have played a lot of matches. I have been playing everyday and sometimes twice a day. Obviously it’s taking its toll a little bit. But these are niggles that keep coming and going. I was supposed to play this week. But for Commonwealth Games and to prepare for it better, I have taken the week off. I am going to start practising from Wednesday.

BA: Sania, you’ll be playing in India after a very long time. All your fans here are going to see you in action for the first time in years. Have you thought about it?

SM: That has crossed my mind. After the (2008) Bangalore tournament there wasn’t any event after that. So I didn’t have a chance to play any WTA or anything. Yes, I am very excited. It’s two or three years since I have played here. I know everyone is really interested to watch us play. And, especially being the Commonwealth Games, it’s very emotional playing for your country and it’s very special. I hope we can give it our best shot.

BA: With home support, how do you rate your chances in women’s singles?

SM: The women’s field is much tougher than the other fields. I think in the men’s, the top seed is Somdev (Devvarman). But we have the top-60 and top-70 players (in women’s) so our field is a lot tougher. Having said that, I just have to go and give it my best shot.
 
BA: What about partnering Leander Paes for the mixed doubles?

SM: The plan is to try and win as many medals as possible. Having won in the Asian Games in Doha, I guess me and Leander will start as favourites. But the fact is, we still have to go out there and win no matter who you’re playing. It’s going to be exciting, we haven’t played since then. But hopefully, we can play like how we played in Doha and try and get gold or win a medal for the country.

BA: How has the controversy surrounding the Commonwealth Games affected you as a player representing the host nation?

SM: I am an athlete and my job is to prepare to the best of my ability. I will try and win as many medals as possible and give my 100%. I think the rest should be left to everyone else. I am very proud that we have Commonwealth Games in India.

BA: One last question. You’re a married woman too, how are you balancing both professional and family life?

SM: (Laughs) It has been good. I have been travelling since June. Shoaib (Malik) has been travelling as well. Last two weeks, he travelled with me. I travelled with him a little bit when he was in England. We have to manage that. We just have to work around each other’s schedule.

BA: Will Shoaib cheer you on at the Games?

SM: Yes, if it matches his schedule. He needs to practice as well. He is here (in Hyderabad) right now. He’s leaving in a few days but I think he should be back. I hope so. I don’t know. He needs to practice as he has a couple of tournaments to play as well. I think we just have to wait and see.