With an impressive year of tennis behind her, Sania Mirza has her eyes set on a brand new start in the New Year. Not only did she win five WTA titles, the doubles star also reached the semifinals of the US Open and the mixed doubles quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2013.
“I have had a very good year. You try to outdo yourself every year. But you have to put it behind with the new season starting. So I am looking at a fresh start,” Sania said on the sidelines of the ITPA Tennis Doubles Masters event at Khar Gymkhana on Saturday.
Sania will try to extend her unbeaten run with her Zimbabwean doubles partner Cara Black in the coming season but in the Australian Open mixed doubles, she will collaborate with Horia Tecau of Romania.
“Cara and I haven’t lost a match. We won all the three tournaments we played. We are looking forward to our new partnership. She was in Hyderabad practising with me. We are doing the right things and are very excited,” said the Hyderabadi.
“I will be leaving for Australia on January 2. Before the Australian Open, I will participate in a tournament in Sydney.” Her partnership choices for the Asian Games, however, are comparatively unclear.
“That (Asian Games) is a long time (away). A tennis player plays 25 weeks a year. So, we have to worry about four Grand Slams much before we worry about anything else,” said the 27-year-old.”I have always said I am always on national duty.
Whenever or whoever needs me to play with I have played in the past and I will play in the future as well.” Asked if she would consider playing in the singles format, Sania said, “I can’t predict what is going to happen one year from now in the Asian Games in October.
If my body feels up to the task, I might play. But at the moment it seems unlikely.” Having frequently changed her doubles partner in the past year, Sania claims finding the right chemistry is essential.
“Every partner has a share of goods and bads. But once you get along with most people that is when you form a good partnership and it depends on your chemistry. It will be unfair to name one person.
“Bethanie (Mattek-Sands) has been my best friend on tour and off it. So it is lot of fun to play with her. We had some great results a well. Unfortunately due to her health we had to stop playing together,” Sania said, when asked to name her favourite partner.
“But I have a good partnership with Cara and we get along. More than that, she is too experienced. She has done it all. She has won Grand Slams, so I learn a lot from her as well. She is extremely humble. At the moment I will have to say Cara Black because I am playing with her,” she added.
