Shoaib Malik & Sania Mirza

Birmingham: Charming and articulate, Sania Mirza spoke to The Telegraph for over 30 minutes at the Hyatt on Friday evening.

The following are excerpts

Q How has the year been, leading up to Wimbledon?

A It has been a pretty good one, actually. Bethanie (Mattek-Sands) and I won a couple of tournaments, made finals... Unfortunately, she got injured in the third round at Roland Garros and we had to pull out... At Wimbledon, I’ll be back with Liezel Huber. In fact, we’ll be playing together in Eastbourne too, next week, before Wimbledon.

You only trained, on grass, in Birmingham...

Yes, I was supposed to play in the WTA tournament here, but Bethanie got injured... I trained, because it’s tough moving from the very slow clay of the French Open to grass, which is such a fast surface... I got a break after six weeks on the Tour and was also able to spend time with my husband, Shoaib (Malik).

But you’re focused on Wimbledon?

Well, on the Tour, you don’t look beyond the coming week. However, you do want to peak during the four Slams.

Is Serena Williams the favourite to win another Slam?

Serena’s playing the best tennis of her life. She’s playing the best by any woman player in a long time. She’s made a phenomenal comeback after her illness.

What separates the top players from the rest?

Consistency... Today, women’s tennis is so competitive that little separates a player ranked 200 from someone ranked 20. That’s why there are so many upsets. Also, physical ability has come to count for a lot more.

Is there somebody you’ve envied?

No.

To talk of men, who is the most outstanding on court?

Roger Federer. The things he can do with a racquet and a tennis ball... I don’t think many will ever manage what he does. Tennis is so easy for Roger. He must be wondering what’s the fuss about with us other players.

The best looker...

(Laughs) Used to be Marat Safin... Right now, I think Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has a great on-court presence. He has an amazing personality, which is so appealing.

Do the women on the Tour bitch?

It’s like any other work environment. You can’t like everyone and, equally, you can’t dislike everyone. It’s a professional environment, it’s very individual, with people sticking to their team... In all these years, there may not be more than three-four girls I’d probably like to stay in touch with, but that’s fine. It’s lonely.

The build-up to this Wimbledon has been quiet, no controversies like last year, with the Olympics having been the focal point...

Oh, yeah... It’s quiet... I don’t want to dwell on what happened last June-July, but whatever happened was in such bad taste. It upset everybody involved, or even not involved. I hope no other sport goes through what Indian tennis went through last year. There are only a handful of us Indian players at the top level and all were having a go at each other. So much muck flew around... We went to the Olympics, gave our best, but returned without a medal... Life has moved on since.

You issued a strong statement, tearing into everybody. You felt used?

The intention wasn’t to give it to everyone. My name was being used when I had nothing to do with the controversy (involving Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna). I don’t want to take names, but people in the association and outside thought I didn’t have a say, didn’t have a mouth... That I was an individual just wasn’t taken into consideration. How could that have been? I needed to be treated with respect, irrespective of whether I’d achieved anything or not. The issue was so badly handled.

But you’ve always been rather outspoken...

I’ve been known to say a few things which haven’t gone down well... But as long as I’m true to myself, I’ll stick to my guns. That’s what I’ve been taught to do.

Indian tennis has a players’ association now, with everybody on board. But won’t egos come into play? Have Leander and Mahesh settled their differences?

You’ll have to ask them that... I got involved a couple of months back and I’m one of the four vice-presidents... That everybody has come together is itself a victory... The idea is to guide players, help them financially, organise tournaments. If a 14-year-old wants guidance from me, I’ll help.

You’ve been a role model, but have you been conscious?

It’s difficult not to be aware and the media plays such a big role... One day you’re made a hero, next day you’re reduced to a zero... I’ve achieved a few firsts and there are girls who do look up to me. It feels nice. I’d be lying if I said I don’t like being a star. I do.

How have you coped with the ups and downs?

I’ve been fortunate to have such a good support system, family and friends. I don’t have many friends, but the few I have I’m extremely close to... They’ve helped me stay grounded. I’m not treated like a star at home and won’t ever be. At home, I do my own work, not the others.

Have you looked up to somebody, in whatever the field?

Steffi Graf.

When did you first meet Steffi?

In Las Vegas, four-five years ago, when I was working with Andre Agassi’s trainer... She came to hit a few balls and I was star-struck... Sort of speechless. Eventually, we had a general conversation. Steffi’s an amazing athlete. Indeed, an amazing woman.

Some questions on Shoaib...You broke hearts when you married him three years ago... Given that he’s a Pakistani, was it a tough decision?

When we fell in love, the last thing on our mind was either the nationality or the colour of skin... As sportswomen and sportsmen, we’re exposed to so many cultures, so many environments... Nationality doesn’t come into play... When we have children, I’d like them to take to sport, so that they have the same outlook as Shoaib and I.

So, the Indian-Pakistani issue didn’t strike you at all?

It did hit us, later... But my first reaction had nothing to do with race or religion... I didn’t set out to start World War III! I just fell in love and, then, married against all odds.

Some gave Shoaib and you the added responsibility of improving Indo-Pak relations...

Didn’t make sense to me... Just because we are celebrities and happen to be from countries which don’t like each other, doesn’t place it on us (to help reduce the tension)... No matter what happens, hopefully, we’ll remain husband and wife. There’s a world beyond India and Pakistan.

What about Shoaib bowled you over?

He’s good looking, and looks do matter... He’s simple... That both of us are in sport probably helped us connect quicker.

But Shoaib comes across as an introvert...

Opposites attract! In a way, Shoaib is an introvert, but when he’s with people known to him, he’s quite an extrovert.

Having been married for three years, what’s the one thing about Shoaib which stands out?

His simplicity... Despite having captained Pakistan, he has no airs... If he has to, he’ll queue up at a restaurant... Shoaib’s a highly confident person. His simplicity shouldn’t be seen as him lacking confidence.

You’ve never had a conflict of interest during the Indo-Pak matches...

As a team, I support India... But, of course, I want Shoaib to do well.

Do you and Shoaib stay in Dubai when both of you aren’t playing?

We do have a place in Dubai, but it hardly happens that both of us have a break... Either he joins me on the Tour or I join him during a series or tournament. We’ve got to manage our time well.

Besides Shoaib, who is your favourite cricketer?

I’m probably biased, because Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) is a good friend, but it’s him.

You must be disappointed that Yuvraj is out of the India team...

Yes... But Yuvi’s fought cancer, he’s beaten the biggest disease. I’m sure he’ll make another comeback.

Saina Nehwal’s also based in Hyderabad. Both of you are headline-makers, but are you friends?

We don’t know each other well enough, our worlds are different... We’re in different disciplines... But I’m happy for her... As an Indian, one feels proud of what she’s achieved. One is also proud of what Mary Kom has achieved. Saina and Mary Kom have been amazing.

You’ve said that it gets lonely on the Tour. How do you unwind?

I watch shows, read a little... Watch Bollywood movies. I’m a big fan of Akshay Kumar.

Have you had a crush on Akshay?

(Laughs) If a six-year-old can, then yes! I’ve been his fan from the time I was that young.

What about the ladies in Bollywood?

Madhuri (Dixit) is special... An incredible actress and what looks! Of the recent ones, Kareena (Kapoor) is beautiful and good at her work.

Have Shoaib and you watched any of the new releases?

We saw Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 the other day... Shoaib enjoyed it. Then, in London, we watched Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. It was pretty good.

Finally... Your message to those who look up to you...

Enjoy what you’re doing. It could even be knitting, but enjoy it. There’s no point somebody else enjoying what you’re doing if you’re not enjoying it yourself. If you don’t have the enjoyment, you’ll never be good at it. You don’t have to be a doctor only because your father or mother is one... There are days when I don’t like picking up a racquet and I don’t. Because there’s no point doing anything in a half-hearted manner.