Difficult to repeat 2015 success, says Sania, but eyes an Olympic medal in 2016

THERE IS NO DOUBT that year 2015 has by far been the best tennis season India’s Sania Mirza has enjoyed on the WTA tour. Ever since the Indian teamed up with Swiss great Martina Hingis, the pair has won two Grand Slams, seven WTA titles (including year-ending championships) and attained World no.1 status in the women’s doubles. The 29 year old finds herself at the peak of her career and is hoping for her purple patch to extend. 

As reported by Times of India, Mirza said, 

"Next year, if not better it, hopefully, we can equal what we have done. It's tough to have a better year than this. But, who knows, what we (with doubles partner Martina Hingis) can do together. It would be great to win another Slam." 

India’s tennis sensation feels her pairing with Hingis has paid off rich dividends and is also convinced that the main reason behind their recent success should be ascribed to the fact that the pair complements each other to a nicety. 

"Also the fact that me and Martina, we complement each other well. We play well together. We get along on and off the court. We just try to better ourselves every time we step on the court," she said.

Although the Indo-Swiss pair has achieved incredible success in 2015, Mirza understands the challenges going ahead and realizes that other teams will try to narrow the gap. 

"Hopefully, we won't need to (do something differently). But, next year, we are going to come more prepared because all the other teams would be more prepared as well.. because they also, so to say, are trying to crack that code to how to beat us.” 

2016 is going to be the Olympic year and players across the world will have ambitions of flying their respective countries’ flags high. Mirza too, has aspirations of bringing home a medal, but doesn’t want to be consumed by the pressure of it all. The Indian has won medals in the Afro-Asian, Commonwealth and Asian games, but the games in Rio excite the 29-year-old. 

"There is no assurance in sport.... We will do whatever we can to try and win a medal. If we don't, life goes on. If we do, it would be dream come true."

Check out the dream run of nine titles with Martina: