Indian tennis star Sania Mirza enjoyed an incredible run in 2016 and said that it would be amazing if she could complete a Career Slam next year, reported PTI on Wednesday.
Mirza has won three Grand Slam titles, each in the women’s and mixed doubles formats. She could complete a Career Slam in mixed doubles by winning at Wimbledon and in women’s doubles by winning the French Open.
“It was unbelievable year for me, to finish at number one again, to win eight tournaments, to win a Grand Slam, to be in the final of another. I can’t ask for a better year, so it’s been an incredible year and I am so happy to be number one, to also finish at number one is a proud moment for me,” said Mirza. “I would love to win a Grand Slam next year. If that does happen (winning women’s doubles French Open), it would be amazing. I won’t kill myself, if I don’t. And it’s the Wimbledon mix that I am missing. It would be amazing for me to have three back to back years with atleast one slam. So that would be my goal really and everything else follows.”
Talking about her new partner Barbora Strycova, Mirza said there are no plans to change the partner. “We played about six tournaments last year, we won two and played a final. We obviously had a good start and she is a great fighter, which is her biggest quality as a tennis player. So do I feel she is going to focus more on the other (singles), of course not. Whenever we step on the court, it is going be 100 per cent or we do not get on the court.”
She also said that she will continue her pairing in mixed doubles with Ivan Dodig from Croatia. However, it can change if Dodig struggles with injury.
“At the moment Ivan and me are planning to play together. He is bit injured with his back over the last four-five months, so he is struggling with his body. He does play singles and doubles, so at this point yes, but in the next couple of weeks, he told me he is going to be training in Australia and if he feels, his back is not 100 per cent, then maybe, I will play with somebody else.”
Also touching upon the topic of partnership with Martina Hingis, Mirza said it was unbelievable. “Not many people have achieved what we achieved together, so it was an incredible partnership and relationship we had on and off the court. I did learn from her because she is more experienced.”
