By Jilawatan

KUALA LUMPUR:  Mention the name Sania Mirza, and everyone will immediately recognise the Mumbai-born athlete who became the first Indian tennis player to ever break into the top 50 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. The 23-year-old has won one WTA title (2005 Hyderabad Open) and 13 ITF titles.

She achieved a career-ranking high of 27 in 2007 and is currently ranked No 57 in the world. Achievements aside, Sania was also embroiled in several controversies.

She was criticised for wearing “inappropriate attire” on court by Muslim religious groups in India. And in 2008′s edition of the Hopman Cup, several photographs of Sania resting her feet and showing her bare soles during a Press conference, with an Indian flag in front, also stirred the hornet’s nest.

Mailsport caught up with the Indian youth icon recently at the majestic Royale Chulan Hotel and spoke about her past, present and future.

Mailsport: Everyone in the tennis industry knows what you have done and what you have achieved. Please describe yourself outside of the tennis court.
Sania Mirza: I’m actually a lazy person outside of the tennis court. I’m more of a homely person. I don’t go out much. I’m very easygoing but I rarely talk to people I don’t know.

MS: You received an honourary degree of Doctor of Letters from the MGR Educational and Research Institute University in Chennai. How’s that working for you so far?
SM: It’s an honour for me to be given that title. I’m glad that my achievements as a tennis player have been recognised. I’m also happy that an athlete like me has obtained that status since it was my childhood dream to be a doctor. And I can proudly say teenage girls in India can aspire to be whatever they choose to be.

MS: Congratulations on winning your first Grand Slam title in the 2009 Australian Open with your mixed-doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi. How is he different from your previous partner Leander Paes?
SM: I think it would be unfair to compare the both of them. I’ve won matches with two and my game suits their style. Leander and Mahesh are excellent tennis players in their own right. Leander’s good with his one-handed backhand while Mahesh is quite lethal with his two-handed groundstrokes.

MS: Some players like Maria Sharapova left her country of birth and is residing and training in Florida. Why is it that you decided to stay in India and not train abroad?
SM: I’m proud to be an Indian. I was born and raised there so I think it would be unfair to leave my place of birth and live in another country. If I was born in Malaysia, I would still live and train in Malaysia.

MS: You have played countless matches in your career that spans six years. Which of your opponents would you say is the toughest one you’ve ever faced?
SM: I cannot single out one tough opponent as most of them have already proven themselves to be great. But if I were to identify just one, I would say it’s the Russian current world No 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova.

MS: So what’s next for Sania Mirza? What are your goals?
SM: (Laughs) I think if you were to spend an entire day with me, it won’t be enough to cover what I am aiming for since I don’t have one aim. But several. I’m still young and I think there is a substantial amount of time for me to improve on my game and my ranking as well. And more importantly, I’d like to be the best tennis player I can be.

MS: Well, all the best.
SM: Thank you.