With increased expectations of more high-level performances from Sania Mirza, Russian tennis star Anastasia Myskina says the ace Indian player should focus on fitness and guard against overtraining.
Ranked 13th on the WTA list, Myskina also felt the Hyderabad teenager would get "better and better" with experience.
"I think for all athletes it's important to pay attention to your fitness, on and off the court. But you need to make sure you do the right thing for you, and not overtrain and risk getting injured," Myskina, who became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam at the French Open last year, said in an e-mailed interview.
Myskina, however, avoided giving any tips on how Sania could get rid of her fitness problems. "I'm sure she has good people around her who will tell her what are the best things for her to do," said the 13th ranked player, who will arrivein Kolkata to take part in the Sunfeast WTA event later this month.
Showering praise on the country's latest sporting icon, Myskina said "With Sania coming through really quickly, Indian tennis is becoming more and more well known. Her arrival is something great for women'stennis."
Myskina said Sania had the potential to break into the world top ten and win Grand Slam titles, but sheneeded to work on her consistency.
The Russian, who has been declared the top seed in the $1.70 lakh Sunfeast Open, rated Sania as a "great player who hits the ball very hard". "Her results this year have been impressive and I expect she's only going to get better and better," said the winner of nine WTA Tour titles.
"I guess one thing she would need to improve is her consistency, but I know she likes going for her shots, and there's nothing wrong with that," the Moscow-based right handed player said.
Myskina said she loved watching India's leading doubles players Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, when they did wonders as a team in the doubles circuit.
"I loved watching Leander and Mahesh play doubles - they were one of the best teams ever. I even played Mahesh in mixed doubles once, so I got to learn a lot in that match!" she said.
Recalling her victory at the Roland Garros last year, Myskina said "It is the highest point in my career so far. It was amazing, not only to win my first Grand Slam, but also the first Grand Slam by a Russian woman.
It's nice to create some history - that can never be taken away from me."
Having reached a career highest WTA ranking (two) last September, Myskina admitted that the current year has notexactly been a fairy tale for her so far.
"I've felt more pressure to perform since winning (at Roland Garros), but that's what you have to expect when you're a top player. It's something I have to deal with," she added.
Advertisement
PTI
