Mirza’s snub stuns India

BANGALORE (India)—Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza on Monday opted out of next month’s 600,000-dollar WTA Bangalore Open here to avoid controversies.
“I am not playing in Bangalore Open. I have been advised by my manager not to play because a lot has been happening in the past few months,” said Mirza, ranked 29th in the world.
“Every time I have played in India, there has been some kind of problem. So we just thought it was better not to play this time.”
Mirza had been criticised in the past by ultra nationalists for wearing short skirts and sleeveless tops on court, and before the Australian Open a row flared after she was shown with her bare feet resting near the Indian flag. She also revealed before last month’s Open she had considered quitting the game. “It (withdrawing from the Bangalore Open) is not an extreme reaction. The controversies have been going on for a long time. It is not easy to deal with such stuff”, said the 21-year-old.
“I have gone through great lows in the last few weeks. It has been difficult to stay focused.” Indian David Cupper Mahesh Bhupathi, whose company manages Mirza’s career, said the decision to pull out of the Open was a “one-off”. “It is not a permanent decision. It is only this year she will not play in India”, said Bhupathi, who also plays mixed doubles with Mirza.
“She has really been pained by all that has happened in the last few months. It is really unfortunate. We want that she should have the right frame of mind when playing in tournaments.” Six-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who beat Mirza in the Australian Open third round, will take part in the tournament, joining sister Serena in the draw.
The 27-year-old American, who lost in the Open quarter-finals in Melbourne, will compete for the title at India’s richest tennis tournament from March 3-9. “I can confirm that the Bangalore Open will have both the (Williams) sisters playing,” organiser Sunder Raju told reporters.
Austria’s Sybille Bammer, ranked 19th in the world, also confirmed her participation, he said. Mirza opted out of India’s richest tennis event, the 600,000-dollar WTA Bangalore Open from March 3-9, telling reporters she was finding it tough to deal with the controversies. The 21-year-old, a Muslim, has been criticised in the past by Islamist groups for wearing short skirts on court, and recently was taken to court after media photographs showed her bare feet resting near the Indian flag.
Mirza, Asia’s highest-ranked player at number 29, revealed before last month’s Australian Open she had considered quitting the game because of the controversies. Former Davis Cup player Vishal Uppal said he was surprised at Mirza’s reason to avoid the Bangalore Open.
“She said she did it to avoid controversies, but I think she has created another controversy by opting out,” said Uppal. A tennis official, who declined to be named, said he suspected business rivalry may have played a role.
Mirza is managed by doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi’s company Globosport, which runs the rival WTA Sunfest Open in Kolkata in September. “It could be injury, a business decision or anything,” the official said. “But it’s a big loss for the Indian tennis fan.”
Vijay Amritraj, India’s best-known tennis player, said he was shocked at Mirza’s decision. “I am dumbfounded,” he said. “She is such a fine player. She is the best not just at home but in the whole of Asia. In my time, to play in India was such a big thing.” Former Davis Cup coach Akhtar Ali said it was a “sad day for Indian tennis.” “That something like this should happen to a dedicated professional like Sania is extremely unfortunate,” he said.
“She has become the victim of politics. She has done so much for this country, single-handedly catapulting ladies’ tennis on to the world stage. She has finally given in to the pressure.” Bhupathi, who partnered Mirza to the mixed-doubles final at the Australian Open, said she may play in India in future.—Agencies