London, June 25: Sania Mirza hopes that within a few years she won’t be the only Indian tennis star battling at the highest level.
Mirza said there was finally plenty of talent beginning to come through the ranks as interest in the sport picks up.
And though the 22-year-old does not feel lonely on the tour, she is aware of the pressure on her shoulders as India’s only top-100 player.
“I hope there’s a lot more tennis players, especially women, come up from India,” she said.
“We seem to have a lot of talent and with the right kind of backing I hope that we can have instead of just one player playing out there, about five or six.”
“One of the reasons is people aren’t very tennis aware in the country,” she said.
“Cricket is more like the sport that people like to play and the masses connect with, but it’s getting better. I don’t know when but hopefully in a few years it will get better and we will have more than one player on the tour.”
“At least there’s a lot of interest and that’s a start. I remember when we used to play under-10s we were struggling to have eight people fill the draw and now they have draws of 32 and 64 for under 10s and 12s which I think is a big step.”
Mirza’s face is plastered on posters and billboards throughout India and she recognises that she is carrying the weight of national expectation.
“There’s always pressure, especially in a country like India where there’s so many people,” she said.
“But I’ve learned to deal with it over the years and I take it in my stride and that’s how it’s supposed to be, that’s something that’s not in my control.”
“I just have to change the negative pressure into the positive and try and take all the support and go out and perform.”
Mirza, ranked 85 in the world, tumbled out of Wimbledon in the second round, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Romanian number 28 seed Sorana Cirstea on Wednesday.
The pair are good friends off the court but fought a close battle on it.
“We are professionals and we go out there and give our best, and we come off and we’re friends again.”
“I came back and she was eating lunch with my dad so just before the match we actually had a laugh about that. I just saw her for five minutes.”
Mirza has yet to start her ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles campaigns at the All England Club but is feeling confident about her progress this year after having struggled with a wrist injury.
“In terms of fitness I’m pretty much at my best because I’m not really hurting in any major way, which is one of the best things because I’ve gone through half the year almost and not been injured yet.”
“Last year it was really tough staying home, and being out six to eight months in a year it’s not easy to come back. This year I’m just happy to be healthy.”
“In terms of confidence, I feel like I’m hitting the ball really well, and I’m playing well. I love playing on the grass.”
“The next season is on the US hard court, which is also one of my favourite surfaces because I’ve always done well there.”
-Agencies