New Delhi: She might have reached her career-best ranking in doubles this year but Sania Mirza feels that there is a scope to improve her ranking further. "It has been a very good year. If I look back, it is this year I won a Grand Slam, reached career-best ranking. I won three titles, six finals. So it is a very good year but as a player one can't be satisfied," Sania said on the sidelines of the book launch of 'Cooking on the Run' by sports historian Boria Majumdar.
"I hope I can win more titles, and if I don't, then there is something wrong with my motivation. I hope I can better my ranking next year and also win more titles." Sania, who was left in the sidelines after suffering a knee injury, said she will be back on the court in another fortnight. "I will start playing in two weeks. I have been on a break for three weeks and I will see how my knee feels. So I will take a call in a couple of weeks."
Asked about the upcoming series between India and Pakistan, Sania said: "I think the two nations are playing after a long time. Even a practice match comes on TV when these countries play. I think it is a great news for sports, it is the healthiest form of rivalry. I will support India. I might be there for a match or two but then I will have to leave for Australia," she said.
Former captain Mohd Azharuddin was given a clean chit by Court on Thursday. Asked what she feels about it, Sania said: "If we speak about it and discuss it, it won't make any difference. The court has already said and he must be very relieved. "I met him at Formula One and I sent him a message, saying I am sure it came as a big relieve. It has been 12 years. I can't imagine what he must have gone through as a sportsperson."
Sania also said she is planning to start an academy in Hyderabad for budding tennis players. "I am starting an academy in Hyderabad. It will be finalised in a couple of months. Many people asked me who will carry on after me. So I feel it's time to do something for tennis. It is a way to give back to the country, maybe someday I can say that someone from the academy does well."
"I think CWG helped this country a lot as people got a chance to see all other sports besides cricket. After that whatever medal we won in Asian and Olympics, I feel if we keep getting the support, then we can do much better," she added. The book launch was also attended by silver and bronze medallist at the Olympics, Sushil Kumar and Beijing bronze medallist Vijender Singh and the trio shared their experience on food along with the writer of the book Boria and restaurateur Anjan Chatterjee.
While Vijender revealed how he and fellow boxers used to steal coach G S Sandhu's food somethimes on tour, Sania shared her experience on how she sneaks out to have 'Haleem' during Ramzan and Sushil spoke of how he just loves eating everything that is served after fasting for a week to reduce weight during tournament.
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