Sania Mirza: Tennis

“Whether it is tennis or any other sport, the situation for women now is far better than it was 10 years ago when I had started playing. Now, people support and promote their daughters to play and take up sports as their career. It wasn't the case during my time. I am glad that things are looking better for girls. Taking a step in this direction, I too have opened my training academy in Hyderabad. Sport for girls in India is in great shape now.”

Sania Mirza

Source: Ekta Yadav "Bhopal's adulation has energised me: Sania Mirza"

Women , People , Girl , Support

“It's been 20 years since I started playing tennis and I've spent a decade playing singles and doubles professionally. I still enjoy singles and may play in an occasional tournament or at the Fed Cup if my country needs me. But I think the time has now come for me to completely shift my focus onto doubles.”

Sania Mirza

In Zee News: "Winning Grand Slams is Sania's motivation after London Games"

Thinking , Time , Country

“On the tennis court, one needs a cool temperament, tremendous ball sense, reflexes, speed, hand-eye co-ordination, power, timing and peak physical fitness. Off the court, the player and support team need skills in planning, execution, travel, an ability to raise funds when needed, and several other talents.”

Sania Mirza

Source: Arun Sharma Sachin's my inspiration - he's also excellent at tennis: Sania Mirza http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/interviews/Sachins-my-inspiration-hes-also-excellent-at-tennis-Sania-Mirza/articleshow/26167479.cms, The Times of India, 22 November 2013

Travel , Support , Sense , Time

“Six-year-old girls in a place like Hyderabad did not play; tennis was a recreation like badminton or gardening. So I draw inspiration from my parents. Steffi Graf has always been my tennis idol; always Steffi Graf. Just the way she was and the way she carried herself on the court and off the court. She does inspire me today. Everyone asks me "Who is your favorite tennis player?" And I always say "Steffi Graf." I just cannot imagine anyone being better than her, you know? I think a lot of people love Steffi Graf for the way she was on and off the court.”

Sania Mirza

Source: Tennis Week "The Tennis Week Interview: Sania Mirza"

Love , People , Way , Imagination

“Well, I've grown up on the tennis circuit which has friendships with people from diverse religions, races, backgrounds and scores of different countries across the globe. I think this experience broadened my horizons. I can comfortably embrace relationships on a personal level while looking beyond narrow constraints.”

Sania Mirza

Source: Arun Sharma "Sachin's my inspiration - he's also excellent at tennis: Sania Mirza"

Friendship , People , Religion , Thinking

“The facilities at that point in India were not up to international standards and the lack of tennis culture did make things more difficult.”

Sania Mirza

When she started learning to play tennis
India's most wanted

“Fitness is defined differently by everyone, but for me, the most important thing is being healthy. As tennis players, what we do is not the healthiest thing. We almost abuse our bodies.”

Sania Mirza

In Zee News: I quit singles to prolong my career, says Sania http://zeenews.india.com/sports/tennis/i-quit-singles-to-prolong-my-career-says-sania_757389.html, 2 March 2013

“Of all the sports I've seen, I think tennis is the most competitive sport in the world. Because we are playing week after week, 36 weeks a year competing against the same players over and over again.”

Sania Mirza

Source: Tennis Week "The Tennis Week Interview: Sania Mirza"

World , Thinking , Sport

“One of the thrills of playing at the top tennis centres of the world is to see the Indian flag go up whenever I`m participating in these events. That's enough motivation for any Indian who has the opportunity to perform at these tournaments.”

Sania Mirza

In Zee News: "Winning Grand Slams is Sania's motivation after London Games"

World , Motivation

“I have a passion for playing tennis and enjoy the workload and struggles of performing in this amazing global sport.”

Sania Mirza

In Zee News: Winning Grand Slams is Sania's motivation after London Games http://zeenews.india.com/sports/tennis/winning-grand-slams-is-sania-s-motivation-after-london-games_747629.html, Zee News, August 17, 2012,

Sport , Passion

“Injuries can end a sportsperson's career and I am glad I have been able to make a comeback and make it to the world's top 10 in doubles and have done reasonably well in mixed doubles. I always believed I had tennis left in me and I am grateful to god for this opportunity.”

Sania Mirza

Source: Boria Majumdar "I'll play with anyone for my country: Sania Mirza"

God , World