Wanting to avoid controversy, Mirza skips Indian tournament
February 5, 2008
NEW DELHI (AP) -- Indian tennis star Sania Mirza plans to skip the Bangalore
Open next month to avoid possible controversy in her home country.
Mirza, ranked 29th, said she was advised by her management to skip the
$600,000 tournament, billed as the richest in India.
"Every time I play in India there is a problem," Mirza said in The Times of
India on Tuesday. "Considering all that, I thought it would be better not to
play in Bangalore."
Mirza has drawn criticism in India for filming an ad near a place of worship.
She faces a legal petition for contempt following wide circulation of a photo
depicting her resting her feet on a table next to the national flag.
Earlier in her career, the Muslim player was assailed by conservative
elements of the Indian community for competing in short skirts and sleeveless
shirts.
"It does take its toll because it's not easy to deal with that kind of
pressure," Mirza said. "It's not normal for any youngster to block such
pressure all the time and keep performing."
The 21-year-old star is the only Indian player to have won a WTA Tour event.
She surpassed China's Li Na as Asia's top player after reaching the third
round of the Australian Open last month, when she was knocked out by Venus
Williams. Mirza and India's Mahesh Bhupathi lost the mixed doubles final at
the Australian Open.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 122.100.164.11
Mirza表示由於之前在印度參賽皆引起爭議,
因此很可能退出下月初在家鄉舉行的比賽。
Bangalore賽在印第安泉前一週舉行,並在今年首度升級為二級賽。