Unfair to expect Prarthana to perform well at Rio; our best shot is in mixed doubles: Sania

INDIA’S TENNIS ICON Sania Mirza has been a busy girl these days. The No.1 player in women’s doubles just launched her autobiography, Ace against odds, a few days back.

Speaking about her next big assignment and India’s hopes at the Olympics, the 30-year-old said, 

"I feel that mixed doubles is where our hopes truly lie in.” 

Sania will be teaming up with Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles event in Brazil. 

She also expressed her views on how there isn’t much hope for the Indian fans in the women’s doubles category at Rio. Sania Will be pairing up with rookie Prarthana Thombre and that certainly doesn’t boost India’s chances of winning any medal in this category. 

"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. 

The Hyderabadi star also clarified that she always tries to play for India regardless of which tournament she is competing in. Sania, who plays on the WTA circuit with Martina Hingis will next play the Grand Slam in New York in early September. After winning the opening slam of the year in Australia, they haven’t tasted success in the French Open and Wimbledon. 

“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."