Dubai: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza may be tempted by her doubles form to make a return to singles play, but cannot see her body holding up on the rigorous women’s Tour.
Mirza, who has had a very successful partnership with former world number one Martina Hingis, is aware of the dangers lurking around as the world’s best doubles pairing.
During her singles career, Mirza has had wins over top players including Svetlana Kuznetsova, Vera Zvonareva, Marion Bartoli, Dinara Safina, Victoria Azarneka and Martina Hingis. In mid-2007, she climbed to No. 27 in the world in the singles until a major wrist injury forced her to give up on her singles career and pay attention only to the doubles.
Last season, Hingis and Mirza ended the year with a 22-match winning streak with 10 WTA titles along with two Grand Slams and a successful defence of her year-ending WTA Finals crown in Singapore.
“We are like the hunted team. Everyone comes out all guns blazing as they have nothing to lose. It’s not easy to be in this position, but it’s a privilege,” Mirza told media after the Indian Aces had consolidated their position at the top of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) table with a 24-23 win over the Philippine Mavericks on Tuesday.
“There’s pressure always and yet, it is a good position to be in. This year we will try to go out there and do better than what we did last season, or if not, at least equal the year that we had,” the Indian promised.
However, as much as she may want, Mirza cannot think of entering the singles on the WTA.
“Honestly, I have thought about playing singles many times and if my body allowed it, then I would have. Believe it or not, I was practising singles points as well yesterday but I find it is tough to accept the fact that I can’t play singles even though I still have the level as a tennis player to play singles,” Mirza said.
“So if my body did allow me, then I would have. Am I tempted to play singles? Sure, yes. Is it going to happen? Probably, not,” she smiled.
