She also defeated the reigning US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova at Dubai Women’s Open after being 0-4 down in the first set. No wonder she was adjudged the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Newcomer of the Year 2005. But the rigors of professional tennis took its toll on her, and she spent most of last year - and a considerable part of the current season - recuperating from various injuries. Sania, who won two silvers and a gold medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, is now injury-free, and even though she looks inconsistent and is still in the process of getting back to 100 per cent match-fitness, she has done well to climb to No 35 in the world. Last month, she reached the semifinals at Cincinnati, where she lost to the eventual winner and her best friend on Tour, Russia’s Anna Chakvedatze. Khaleej Times caught up with Sania Mirza during the Cincinnati tournament for an exclusive interview.

Congratulations Sania! I am sure you are happy to reach the semifinal in Cincinnati.
SANIA: Definitely. This is my second semi-final of the year after Hobart in January, which was the first tournament of the season for me. Unfortunately, both the time I lost to Anna [Chakvedatze], who is one of my best friends on the Tour.

It must have been all the more pleasing considering that you have just come out of a long injury break?
SANIA: Yes. It is very difficult for any sportsperson to come back after a forced break. More so when everyone expects you to keep winning.

Are you completely over with your injury problems? And how frustrating was it to be grounded with the knee injury just when you were looking forward to making another big push up in rankings?
SANIA: I think I am perfectly fine now. Or, should I say I am completely fine as of now. One has to realise that injuries are part and parcel of every sportsperson’s life and one has to be prepared for that and accept that. Of course, it was very frustrating to be out of the game just when I was playing the best tennis of my life. But as I said before, I have realised that as long as I play, I will have some kind of injuries. It was also frustrating to read all those reports that people had written me off. Well, I am now world number 35 despite the break.

You are one of India’s best known sporting ambassadors. What does being an Indian mean to you?
SANIA: I am a very proud Indian, and being one means so much to me that I wouldn’t even dream of living anywhere else in the world. Of course, there are distractions, and the expectations are huge, but then I don’t think I will get so much love from the fans anywhere else.

Your parents have been your biggest supporters. Tell us a bit about their role in your career?
SANIA: To be honest, I could not have reached where I am, or achieved what I have in my career, without them. My parents have always encouraged me to be the very best.

Growing up, who was your idol, and what were the qualities that impressed you about him/her?
SANIA: That would be Steffi Graf. I think she was a superb, all-round tennis player. She was just a magnificent athlete and she carried herself beautifully on and off the court. Even after her retirement, she has settled down wonderfully well in a life of domesticity.

You can easily be called the most popular player at the Dubai Duty Free Women’s Open. Tell us about your Dubai experience?
SANIA: I love Dubai and I love the people who come out and support me during the Dubai Duty Free Open. That kind of support is bound to inspire any sportsperson. To play in Dubai actually feels like I am playing at home. I will always remember my victory over Svetlana [Kuznetsova] there. It was one of my finest matches of my career and the crowd was simply fantastic.

You confessed to love shopping while travelling. Where does Dubai stand as a shopping destination for you?
SANIA: Way up there! Dubai would easily rank as one of my top shopping destinations in the world.

Can you point out the reasons why India cannot produce worldclass players on a regular basis like other countries including Russia and Serbia?
SANIA: Well, it is true that Russia and Serbia have started producing world-class players on a regular basis, but only recently. Let’s give India some time and I am sure we will have many top-class players coming out of our country.

If you have to point out three things that need to be improved urgently for the sake of Indian tennis, what would those be?
SANIA: I think we need to have a programme in place that can help identify talent from the ages of 10 to 12, and then we need to back those players to the hilt by financing them, training them and ensuring that they get proper international exposure to hone their skills.

Finally, what are your immediate goals for this year?
SANIA: I am not even thinking in terms of rankings or tournaments now. My first and foremost goal is to stay healthy and remain injury free.

Thank you Sania! And we do hope to see you in action in Dubai early next year.
SANIA: Definitely! I would love to be back in Dubai.