Rankings are just numbers says Sania Mirza

Hyderabad, July 10 (UNI) India tennis sensation Sania Mirza is now happy to climb up in the WTA rankings and double happy as she is more healthier than before.

The Hyderabadi, who reached the city after two months gruelling European tour, was now back in SAAP Tennis courts and training hard for the eight week long American tour that would include US Open in August/September.

Speaking to UNI Ms Sania said, ''I never expected to recover this fast, especially after two and half months lay off following a surgery. People were expecting me to recover in five to six months.

Everyone including the doctors and physiotherapist were surprised. I thank every one who helped me recover quickly.'' ''I am more fitter and healthier now than before, I play better tennis. Rankings are just numbers. When I fell down to 70's, some people felt that Sania is finished, but I recovered and moved upwards in the ranks putting up better show,'' she said.

''More than rankings I gained lot of confidence. I won a match at French Open where the surface does not suit me,'' she said.

On her double's team partner Shahar Peer she said, ''We together played better tennis in French Open and Wimbledon and reached third round where we extended top seeds to three sets.'' When asked about playing with Mahesh Bhupathi in the mixed doubles she replied, ''It is a great honour to play with him in the Wimbledon and right now I do not know anything about my partnership with him in the US Open.'' When asked how did she felt when she heard about inclusion of Taj Mahal in the seven wonders of the world, she said, ''its wonderful, you cannot discribe that in words.'' UNI