Wimbledon girls doubles champion Sania Mirza said she was ready to break into the bigleague of women's tennis with confidence and would focus on gaining experience and match practice at the highest levelbefore bothering about her ranking.
The 16-year-old said the US Open Junior Championships, beginning September 2, would be her lastGrand Slam event in the junior category.
"That would be my last Grand Slam at the junior level. After that I would focus onthe ladies," she told reporters in Bangalore.
Sania, the first Indian girl to win the Asian Junior Championship in Delhi last year, said Bob Brett, who coached former Wimbledon champions Boris Becker and GoranIvanisevic, has been approached to train her.
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The Frenchman is expected to see watch her game in the US Open.
Asked how difficult it would be in women's tennis, Sania said it would be "quite tough" but added shewas ready for it. The win at the All-England Championship had given her a lot of confidence, she said.
"The next two years, I want to learn a lot and would not be too much worried about my ranking. I will focus on gainingexperience and match-practice," said the Hyderabadi, a sworn Steffi Graf fan.
Sania will be flying to Canada on August 20 to take part in the Canadian Open from August 25, followed bythe US Open and a $25,000 Challenger in Georgia.
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In these events, she will take part in both singles and doubles.
Sania, who won the doubles title at Wimbledon partnering Aleysa Kleybanova of Russia, was now looking for anew doubles partner.
Asked about the possibility of her teaming up with the US-based Tara Iyer, known for her height, athleticism andintensity of focus, Sania said: "It could happen. I have to see".
Sania made no secret of her desire to become a specialist singles player."I would like to be a singles player", but added she played doubles as it was a a"back-up".
But, the teenager, who won the mixed doubles bronze with Leander Paes in the Asian Gamesat Busan, was not sure if she would play doubles after two-three years.
At present she's putting in efforts to improve her footwork and serve.
PTI
