Sania Mirza had caused a serious stir in the country with her media release on June 28, 2012, claiming she had been used as bait by the All India Tennis Association in dealing with the feud involving players Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
In her first interview since issuing the press release, Sania talks at Wimbledon about the forthcoming three weeks of preparation, the significance of the Olympics and the way forward for Indian tennis.
Now that the controversy is all settled, are you gearing up for the Olympics, which is just about 15 days away?
Indeed I am. As I have said in the press release, what happened wasn't good for Indian tennis or rather Indian sport. People were tired of the negativity around. I was deeply hurt and pained with the events and needed to express myself which I did. But now I am completely focused on the Olympics. I am home for a week with family in India after which I travel to San Diego for a week to get some more match practice, and then I am back in London on July 23 to train for the Games. I will train for a week on grass and will be fully prepared by the time competition starts.
You are playing both doubles and mixed doubles. In mixed doubles (whoever you play with) you have a real chance of a medal. Do you agree?
I am absolutely delighted for Rushmi (Chakravarthy) that she is getting to play in the Olympics. I have played with her in the past and we have some good results to show for.
In mixed doubles, we do have a chance. I will play with anyone for my country. I may have my personal preferences but such preferences have never come in the way of playing for India. At the same time, every athlete has his or her strengths and weaknesses and we need to be aware of these strengths when picking a team. While we will surely go for a medal, let me say that each of the 10,500 athletes in London will be going for medals. However, Roger Federer, for example, has never won an Olympic singles gold. Nicolas Massau of Chile has won two (Seoul 1988, singles and doubles). Does that make Roger, one of the best-ever tennis players of all times, any lesser player? I'd like to request our media and our people to stand by us and inspire us to do our best. I can assure you we will do all we can to make the country proud at the Olympics.
You have 12 medals to show for your efforts for India at various multidisciplinary sports events. The only thing missing is an Olympic medal. Does it make London any extra special and do you feel any extra pressure?
Playing for the country is an honour. The ultimate honour, in fact. If you want to look at it as pressure, you will find it very difficult to cope with the expectations of a billion people. I look at it as an opportunity, as being among the few who have been given this opportunity to make the country proud. At the same time, I must say that what was happening immediately before and during Wimbledon was creating unnecessary pressure for us all. Despite winning the French Open mixed doubles, it was as if we needed to do well in Wimbledon to prove ourselves. It was unfair and was creating unhealthy pressure, which is always very difficult to deal with. There's no doubt it impacted upon our performance.
Beijing 2008 wasn't a particularly happy Olympics for you because of injury. Do you actually feel a sense of pleasant surprise that you are back again for London after three surgeries in the last five years?
Absolutely. 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. Justine Henin, for example, had to leave the sport after one surgery. I always believed I had tennis left in me and I am grateful to god for this opportunity.
What should the country expect from Sania Mirza at the Olympics?
I can assure you of more than 100% effort. I will do all I can to win a medal. To see the national flag go up while standing on the podium is the proudest moment in an athlete's life and I will want to experience that for myself in London. Please just keep praying for the entire Indian contingent. We have a really good chance of doing well at these Games and it will provide a huge fillip to Indian Olympic sport if we are all able to perform to potential.
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