Sania hopes to crack top 20 in 2008
Monday, 17 December 2007
World No 32 Sania Mirza has not set any goals but hopes to end the 2008 season on a brighter note by finishing within the top 20.

At a function where she appeared as the brand ambassador of Deutesche Bank on the eve of her 21st birthday here on Tuesday, Sania said she was trying her best to push up her ranking.

"I am playing my best and will strive to achieve a ranking of 20 before the end of the 2008 season."

She is presently ranked 27 on the WTA tour-ending race for the year 2007.

Mirza, whose earning this year touched USD 395,597 and who had a win-loss ratio of 30-19 in singles, parried questions on the issue of fixing of matches in the men's circuit, saying, "It does not happen in the women's circuit to my knowledge. I have not experienced any such instances. If it is happening on the ATP Circuit, it is not good for the game. I am not that experienced to make any comment on such things."

Terming Justine Henin as a terror on the WTA circuit, she said, "Henin is lady Federer. She is what Federer (Roger) is on the men's circuit. She is a terror for all women players and she wins whatever tournament that she competes."

When asked about her injury woes, she said she had played more number of matches this year. "My knee injury was a freak accident. It hurts only when I serve. Every athlete in the circuit suffers from such niggling injuries. It cannot be avoided when you are playing at that level but sometimes injuries also help you to do better since you had to work harder to strive for positive results."

Sania who did not have a personal coach for the best part of the year but won four doubles titles with four different partners, said she is keeping her options open when it came to hiring a permanent coach.

"At this point of time, I have not decided to have a coach. I am keeping my options open amongst three people. I have not zeroed in on any one particularly. I will disclose, if I decided to have one, at the appropriate time," she said adding that frequently changing coaches does not distract her.

"I play both singles and doubles. Singles is my specific focus. I cannot help but have different partners in doubles play. I have played with different partners this year and have been comfortable with each one of them," she said.