Sania Mirza had a pretty good 2007. But now the 21-year-old is gearing up for new challenges starting with the Hopman Cup later this month. Sania is looking forward to playing in Australia, where she played her first Grand Slam. “I have always had great memories of Australia because that was the first Grand Slam that I ever played, and first time I reached the third round. It has great weather, sun and sport. Melbourne is one of my favourite cities and all the tennis players are eager to go after the break and regrouping. So I am very excited,” she says. Sania spoke exclusively to CNN-IBN Correspondent Rupha Ramani on what to expect in 2008, her favourite Grand Slam and Roger Federer.

Hyderabad: There is something about India’s tennis star Sania Mirza that keeps her in the news, always. There is news now that her doctor was made a target of hate mails.

After brushing off a tough challenge in her first match at the Sony Ericsson WTA tournament in Bangalore, Sania Mirza was back on court on Wednesday morning.

But this time it wasn’t to take on another opponent player. Instead, Sania handed out valuable tips to some wide-eyed kids.

Tennis star Sania Mirza is now Doctor Sania Mirza. The 22-year-old was conferred with a ‘Doctor of Letters’ (Honoris Causa) by the MGR Educational and Research Institute University in Chennai on Thursday night.

Sania was honoured with the degree for her achievements in tennis.

Mumbai: In the second part of CNN-IBN’s interview with India’s Davis Cup captain Leander Paes, he speaks to Roma Khanna about the future of Indian tennis and his take on where Sania Mirza’s game stands at the moment.