Indian pin-up Mirza aims for a fresh start

Source: GULF-TIMES  

INDIAN tennis sensation Sania Mirza is looking for a fresh start when she hits the courts for  the $2.5 million Qatar Total Open starting on February 18.  
Mirza, reeling under several controversies back home, landed in Doha yesterday with her mother and was quick to say that she was here to do what she knows best – playing tennis.
“I’m here to play some good tennis, that’s it,â€‌ said Mirza, who shocked everyone by opting out of her home tournament in Bangalore next month at the advice of her career manager and mixed doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi.
The 29th ranked player has had to deal with plenty of off-court controversies stirred up with petty motives by rabid nationalists and religious fringe elements, but that has only increased her fame and marketability in India where she is  second to Sachin Tendulkar in the sporting popularity stakes.
Ever since her breakthrough 2005 season, Mirza has been criticised for wearing short skirts and sleeveless tops and most recently was at the centre of a row after she was shown with her bare feet resting near the Indian flag during the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.
Earlier, she was accused of hurting religious sentiments following a commercial shoot at the historic Mecca Masjid in her hometown Hyderabad. The incident also evoked protest from the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, a powerful Muslim political party.
Pained and tired of these accusations, she has decided to stay out of the Bangalore Open.
“Every time I have played in India, there has been some kind of problem. So we thought it was better not to play this time. It is not easy to deal with such stuff,â€‌ Mirza, 20, said.
After all this, the reluctance of her family to expose her to the media is understandable and yesterday at the Doha airport her mother Nasima ensured she was not put in an embarrassing situation.
When there was a slight delay in the arrival of the official car to take them to their hotel, Nasima ordered her daughter in Urdu, “Sania tum ander jao,â€‌ (Sania you get back inside).
Mirza’s availability for this Qatar Open was also under a cloud after she suffered a back injury during practice few weeks back. However, Mirza, who has fond memories in Doha, with a gold and two silvers in mixed doubles, singles and doubles respectively at 2006 Asian Games, confirmed that she was hundred percent fit.
“I was suffering from back spasm but have recovered fully. As of now, I am very much fit, no problem at all,â€‌ said Mirza, who has a strong field of top players to beat.
Doha has not only been a happy hunting ground for Mirza but also been a home away from home. With plenty of Indian expats to cheer her, she has always enjoyed tremendous support here, often to the distraction of other players.
“I have always enjoyed playing here. The support has always been there for me in this region and my sole aim of coming here is to do well. I am very much looking forward to challenge,â€‌ said Mirza, who made it to the third round of the Australian Open this year and settled for the runners-up trophy in the mixed doubles pairing with Bhupathi.