Tennis ace Sania Mirza's partner for the upcoming 2016 Olympics in the mixed doubles competition has not been decided yet and the world number one women's doubles player will take a call just before the Olympics.
Sania, who has gradually improved her game in the doubles circuit, is expected to choose between Rohan Bopanna and Leander Paes as her partner. The former has already showed his interest in pairing alongside Sania, but the ball is in the Hyderabad girl's court. Paes will also be willing to play alongside Sania.
Sania and Paes' combination in the 2016 Rio Olympics looks ideal as both the players have tremendous record in doubles. Sania-Paes' combination could be the nation's best hope for a gold medal. Sania, with her powerful baseline game, and Paes' reflexes at the net, along with his mixed doubles record will make them a dangerous pair. Sania has a tough choice to make before the Olympics.
"For me, it's still six seven months away. I'm not really thinking about it back of my head as of now. Will take a call closer to the Olympics. The best team should be put forward. In we will take that call," PTI quoted Sania as saying.
Irrespective of the player, who Sania chooses to pair alongside, India will have a formidable pair. India tennis fans will not mind any combination if the pair is able to bring home the elusive gold medal.
"We have three Slams to play before the Olympics. As a tennis player, we don't have the luxury to prepare for Olympics six months in advance. But when we get there we will try and give our best to win a medal for the country," added Sania.
Even if the pair fails to win a medal for India in the Olympics, the future is bright for India as there are a number of youngsters, who are picking up tennis as their sport in a country, where cricket rules the roost.
"The kids believe that if Sania can do it we can as well. when it's so close to home. Yuki cracked the top 100 after Somdev in a few years time. We have that crop coming up. The women's are a bit struggling than the men's who are brighter but we have still a couple of them in top 300 or so," said Sania.
"Everything takes time to build. It does not happen overnight. Hopefully in next three four years, when we're done probably, we'll have people competing at the highest level on regular basis."
