New Delhi: Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, whose career has been plagued by several injuries, has now decided to completely shift her focus to playing doubles only.
The 26-year-old Sania, who could not win a medal at the just-concluded London Olympics, said she still enjoyed playing singles, but the time has come for her to concentrate on doubles in view of her recent injuries. Her wrist and knee injuries have troubled her and even threatened a premature end to her career.
Sania also said, in an interview, that she has still not decided on continuing her successful alliance with Mahesh Bhupathi in mixed doubles.
The Hyderabadi had achieved a career-best singles rank of 27 in 2007 but had subsequently faded due to injuries and form. Making the singles fourth round of the US Open in 2005 was the highlight of her Grand Slam performance.
Her major success (mynikevisit-na to win free Nike Coupons)came while playing in doubles as she won two Grand Slams (mixed doubles) and 14 WTA Tour titles with different partners.
She won one singles title when she triumphed at Hyderabad in 2005.
In the interview, Sania spoke about her disappointing run in the Olympics.
“A defeat at any stage, whether in the first round or in the final of a major tournament, is always disappointing.
“But as sportsmen, we learn to pick ourselves up to bounce back and move on for the next challenge,” she said.
“I have played very little singles since I got back after my third surgery in January and I still have too many aches and pains in my body. It’s been 20 years since I started playing tennis and I’ve spent a decade playing singles and doubles professionally.”
She said she still enjoys singles, but, while she may play the occasional tournament, her focus is on doubles. However, Sania still held out the possibility of also playing in the Fed Cup for her country.
Asked whether she hopes to make an appearance in Rio in another attempt to add an Olympic medal to her kitty, she answered, “As someone who has taken immense pride in playing for the nation in whatever role I was asked to, I am completely at peace with myself, knowing that I’ve given it my everything as far as the Olympics or other multi-discipline events are concerned.
“I would have felt incomplete if I had never been a part of the Olympics, but I think there is a bit of destiny involved in winning. The greatest of them all, Roger Federer has never struck gold in singles in which he is the undisputed king of the game and that does not make him any less of a player,” she said philosophically. (PTI)