Incheon: India’s tennis player Sania Mirza has answered her detractors in the best possible manner — by winning medals and adding to her list of honours.
After winning the women’s doubles bronze with Prarthana Thombare last week, Sania teamed up with Saketh Myneni to claim the mixed doubles title in a rain-delayed finale late on Monday.
After such a hectic schedule, Sania was scheduled to depart for the Chinese capital in the early hours of Tuesday to be in Beijing with her partner Cara Black for their opening doubles match at the China Open later in the afternoon.
With nothing to do but wait for the clouds to clear at the Yeorumul tennis courts, Sania was her usual straight-forward self, answering questions about her commitment and pride in playing for India — even after the BJP Party recently branded her a ‘daughter-in-law’ of Pakistan due to her marriage to cricketer Shoaib Malek
“Getting a medal in women’s doubles is huge for women’s tennis in India. This is something that we’ve never done before so it is going to be huge,” Sania told Gulf News.
“And for me it has been personally satisfying as I have had to be the leader of the team and guide these youngsters. This is a young Indian team that we came with and everyone knows that this is not our best team possible. So to go away with five medals is a pretty good show.”
Just before the Incheon Games, India’s tennis team was unsure of making the trip to Korea due to internal wrangling between the government and sports department. Eventually, a second string squad was assembled to represent the country, with Sania a last-minute acceptance.
“The minute I made the decision to come I knew I had done the right thing. For me the most important thing was to give India the best chance of winning medals. I did what I could and here I am with two medals in the two events that I’ve played in. I am happy that I have contributed to my country’s success in Incheon, taking my personal tally to eight medals in the four Asian Games that I’ve taken part in,” she said.
But now the battle hardened 27-year-old feels she needs to step aside and give younger players an opportunity, provided they are willing to accept the challenges that lie in being a top-notch sportswoman.
“These are definitely the best tennis players we’ve had in a while and they have proved it by winning in Incheon. They’ve got some potential and they are pretty young and they need to build on this success. I hope they will get a lot of confidence from the medals here,” she said.
“I’ve held this flag for the women for a long time and I think it is time to pass it on to someone. Hopefully by the next Asian Games they will be ready to win some medals by themselves and without me in the team.”
