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29 March 2024

Sania Mirza targets Grand Slam win and world No.1 ranking

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has set her sights on winning a Grand Slam and be the world's number one with her new doubles partner Cara Black of Zimbabwe in the not too distant future.

The glamour girl of Indian tennis was in an ebullient mood as she spoke about her career after inaugurating a state-of-the-art fitness facility in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

She has every reason to feel elated having enjoyed one of her best seasons bagging five titles.

"Last couple of years I have not had a major injury. Probably one of the reasons I feel that I'm in very good shape and playing better," said Sania who finished the season in style winning the prestigious doubles titles in Tokyo and Beijing with Black.

"We are playing together next year. It's a great opportunity for me to be No.1 in the world. Obviously our next aim is to try and win one Grand Slam. That's what we are playing for," said Sania who is at the peak of her career and more importantly enjoying playing doubles at the highest level.

"I don't want to set a goal because I kind of jinx it every time," chuckled Sania who ruled out making it a return to singles.

"I have not played singles in more than a year. It's over. I have had more than three surgeries. It was tough for me to come back. My body is just giving in. It was the toughest choice I have to make in my career," reiterated Sania.
 
"I'd rather play tennis for a few more years and succeed and do bigger things in doubles. I love it too much to give up in just one year," she added.

Such is her focus on tennis that the 27 year-old who is married to former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has put off plans of starting a family.

"She's (Cara) coming back after having a baby and she has really improved. Everyone is different. Can I do it right now, no!," she said when asked whether she would play as mom like Kim Clijsters.

"At the moment I just enjoying playing tennis. I'm not into the whole baby thing at the moment," said Sania.



"We are very opposite players to each other. I think that's the most important thing. I hit the ball very hard and flat, she has extremely crafty hands. She is very good around the net and I'm very good at the back," she explained.

Sania displayed her pugnacious self donning boxing gloves in posters promoting the fitness centre.

"I actually do kick-boxing in my training anyway," she said when asked about her concept of fitness.

"The idea of fitness is try and make it a part of our lives. People are getting more health conscious. Somehow I feel being a sportsperson, I have a kind of responsibility of trying to explain how good it is. You don't feel a 20-minute walk today, you'll feel it in 20 years if you do it every day," said Sania who is acknowledged as a fitness freak.

“Sania Mirza perfectly represents the brand not only for sharing a rather similar life trajectory but also for the fact that she inspires millions of young people to follow their dreams, to annihilate challenges and to pursue their goals with an single minded determination," said Chairman and Managing director Rajeev Reddy after announcing the appointment of India's pin-up girl as the brand ambassador of Country Club Fitness which opened its 20th centre in Abu Dhabi.

"She breathes Country Club’s philosophy of ‘living life to the fullest’ and is a symbol of women empowerment. Her association with the brand not only brings unique star power but also sends out a strong message that health and fitness and success go hand-in-hand. Country Club has achieved leadership status in clubbing and holidays and now targets health and fitness arena in a big way, providing easy access to fitness centres,” he added.

Country Club Group, one of India’s largest and fastest growing leisure entertainment and fitness company, with global headquarters in Dubai, marked its foray into Middle East’s health and fitness sector with the unveiling of Country Club Fitness, a cumulative Dh40 million initiative.

Country Club Fitness is envisaged as state-of-the-art network of 100 fitness centres globally.

The group plans establishing ten such facilities across the Middle East in the first phase - each facility built with an investment of Dh4 million will boast of latest equipment, best experts to address varied fitness needs of members and a well qualified management team.

Commenting on Country Club Fitness’ foray into the Middle East, Siddharth Reddy, CEO, Country Club Group said: “Health is a major global concern with obesity and lifestyle diseases reaching an endemic proportion. Health is directly proportional to the financial wellbeing and individual happiness quotient-so the better we address it-better the quality of life.”

Reflecting on the business potential of the initiative Varun Reddy, COO, Country Club Group said: “Since the last year, we have launched 20 fitness centres including two in UAE - Dubai (Madina Mall) and Abu Dhabi. Our core focus is to make work-out fun and build a social community around fitness. Our fitness clubs focus a lot on GX (group classes) making workouts structured and a lot of fun. The phenomenal response to the initiative vindicates our efforts.”



Expressing her happiness at being chosen the brand ambassador of Country Club Fitness, Sania said: “I am delighted to be the brand ambassador of Country Club Fitness. Country Club, is close to my heart as I started my tennis journey from Country Club, Hyderabad, and I am very happy to see the brand grow across India and the Middle East. With Country Club Fitness offering world class facilities I want to inspire people to take control of their lives and choose healthy and fit lifestyles,” she added.

"This is what it's all about as a fitness centre. To try and make a routine a part of your life. Just like you eat food, like you wake up in the morning and brush your teeth, same way you should go out to the gym and have a half an hour work out. To me that is very important. Staying healthy is the most important thing," said Sania who is aware of the importance of staying injury-free.

"Injuries are part of sport. For a sportsperson having an injury, yes, it is a big setback but we have to be prepared for it. If we are going to push our bodies to the limit every day we have to be ready that our bodies are going to give in sometimes," she said when asked how coped with injuries during her career. 

"As tennis players, as pro athletes what we do is more for tennis-related fitness. That is not what people should do every day because that's like punishing your body. Every day we do it on a very extreme level but it’s very different," she explained.

"This fitness is different, more about trying to stay healthy. That one is about trying to be strong and powerful and trying to help your tennis," said Sania who doesn't wish to take a long break from tennis.

"I plan to take three weeks off, not touch my tennis racquet and then I start training again. I just got back from Beijing on Sunday and literally have been on the go. I'm here now. Finally I will have a couple of days off when I'm done and maybe go on a holiday just for a few days,  just to chill," she said determined to keep her feet on the ground despite the minor distraction of commercial engagements.

"This is the time I can do all this. This is part of our life and part of my job as well. I love doing it. That's why I'm here," said Sania who has not let success or adulation affect her image as a perfect role model.

"She is a fitness freak. she has proved her mettle. She is definitely a big star in her own right and example for youth," said Reddy paying a glowing tribute to the Indian tennis star.