Indian star slams faith obsession
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-06 06:56

However, Mirza said she thrived on the enormous expectations generated by her Hyderabad Open win and by reaching the Australian Open third round and US Open fourth round.

"I think everyone expects me to do all kinds of things, probably things I can't even do, but that's just the part of the package that comes with playing well you have to take it in your stride," she said.

"In some ways it does motivate me too. I like the pressure and I think the day I stop liking the pressure will be the day I'll say I don't want to play any more. I like playing when people are expecting things."

She is also happy to be a role model in India, where her exploits have supplanted cricket on the back pages and where she says tennis is now becoming more popular.

"I love the fact I'm being an inspiration to a lot of young girls, especially in India, to come up and play tennis where cricket is the big sport in the country," she said.

"People are really starting to play tennis now so I'm happy and I think it's going to help the game a lot.

"It's just a way of giving back and hopefully tennis is going to be very big and we'll have not just one but a lot more Indian girls and guys coming up."

Mirza, who has just completed a three-week stint working on her serve and volley with coaching guru Tony Roche, expected a tougher season this year now that she is known on circuit.

But despite missing almost five months of last season with ankle and back injuries, she said she would not modify her aggressive style.

"I love hitting the ball hard. I don't think I'm as patient as a lot of people expect me to be on the court I think that's the reason I've pulled off a lot of matches I'm not supposed to," she said.

"I'm not saying everything in my game is perfect but I think the main strength in my game is aggressiveness. I think if I remove that and just rely on my forehand and backhand it's going to be zero.

"It's going to take my oxygen away so I want to keep my aggressiveness and build up a few other things like a good defence."