IndiaPost.com - Sania has ability to break into top ten: Vijay Amritraj

BANGALORE: Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj said here that Sania Mirza, who has had a great run in recent weeks, has the ability to break into the top ten of world rankings.

"She has the ability to move into the top ten", Amritraj said here, adding, her mental attitude, no holds barred play and effective forehand make her a winner. Amritraj said Sania should focus more on winning major tournaments than thinking about her ranking.

"I have never paid too much attention on ranking", he told reporters here. Amritraj said last year Sania's performance could have been affected a bit because of expectations from tennis fans. "People don't expect you to win at 18. But when you are 19, all of a sudden people expect.

She came back strongly in the third year because expectation levels are a little bit less", he said. Amritraj said that Sania should take care of herself and ensure that she did not pick up injuries. "Doubles is what has given her ability to play well in singles as well.

Even if you lose some times first round in singles, then you win the doubles...It gives you a great amount of confidence and match play. So, you end up being better in singles along the way. "So, I think, it's been great for us (playing both singles and doubles). But you have to blend that....Taking sometime off...Making sure that the body is recovering.

Because, physically, you are abusing your body every day. "If she continues to be physically strong, she will do a lot of damage (go up further)", Amritraj said. Amritraj said Sania was a tremendous role model for all the younger players. "Sania is proving it (excelling at top level) can be done".