Sania Mirza: We always play for India whether it is during Olympics or Wimbledon

ByAmlan Majumdar, SportsCafe Editor

07/16/2016

Tennis star Sania Mirza believes that there is a ‘misconception’ that it is only at the Olympics that tennis players play for their nation. The 29-year-old is also adamant that it is in the mixed doubles, where she will partner Rohan Bopanna, that India's best hope of an Olympic medal in tennis lie.

Mirza will partner Prarthana Thombare in the women's doubles at Rio, however, the World No.1 in women's doubles feels that it will be too much to expect them to compete against the best.

"Prarthana is a young girl. It is really unfair to just expect her to go there and compete against the best players in the world, I think that the experience for her would be great.

“I think we will try and get a medal if we can. Hopefully, in the next Olympics, she will get a medal for us.

You people might think that when we play for Olympics it is only then that we play for India, but we always play for India whether it is during Olympics, or Wimbledon or the US Open."

"I feel that mixed doubles is where our hopes truly lie in," Sania Mirza told PTI.

Also, read : Has India lost out on an Olympic medal because of Mirza, Bopanna, and Paes' stubbornness?

Mirza also went on to clear the 'misconception' that tennis players represent their nations only during the Olympic Games, she said, "The team that has been announced we are very happy with that. Obviously playing Wimbledon is very important for me.

“You people might think that when we play for Olympics it is only then that we play for India, but we always play for India whether it is during Olympics, or Wimbledon or the US Open.

"It is a misconception that we will play for India only in Rio. In Rio too, we will give our best to get a medal," reported PTI.

Also, read : Sania Mirza takes Rajdeep Sardesai to the cleaners on live television