Sania Mirza likes to do things her way.
So after her practice at the KSLTA courts, her mother, Naseema, announced that Sania would have a press conference, despite the media not being present at the venue in full strength.
But being the celebrity she is, neither the WTA media representative nor the organisers could resist the move of a pre-tournament press conference.
The 20-year-old, thus, strutted into the room and held court in front of handful of journalists.
Coming off a decent run at the Pattaya Open, where she reached the semi-finals, Sania admitted that she was far from a finished product.
"You are never satisfied with what you want to be," the Hyderabadi girl said. "You always want to get better. It's been only three tournaments (this year) and two semis out of three isn' t bad.
"Yes, I am in better shape, I haven't had an injury in the past six months. It really helps when you can give it your all.
"I am feeling much better than this time last year; I'm hitting the ball better. I can do more things with my forehand and backhand. I am kind of satisfied with the way I am playing but, obviously, I would like to keep getting better till the day I retire."
Sania suffered a slump in her second year and could not match her phenomenal rise in rankings in 2005. But the Indian ace thinks she has bounced back stronger and as a much better player.
"Last year was tough but I think I have come out strongly. People have dropped to 120 or 160 but have managed to come back in the third year.
"I was playing fine (last year), it was just a matter of winning a few matches here and there. It was after Doha (Asian Games) that I started playing really well. I do feel I am serving a lot better; just trying to do what I have to. I still feel I can get a lot better on my serve -- probably consistency or maybe speed, get stronger in my legs to help me get power on my serve."
Before her success at the Hopman Cup and the Doha Asian Games, the highlight of last year on tour was her victory over Martina Hingis, at the Korean Open in September.
Sania says she keeps going back to the tapes of her 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 win over the former world number one for inspiration.
"I asses my game, doesn't matter if I win or lose a match. We look at tapes of the match later on; I've seen the tapes of that match (against Hingis) again and again. It helps to know what you can do well and what you can't"
Her massive strides on the doubles circuit, where she is ranked 26 currently, also helped her sooth the bruises she suffered in singles. Though Mahesh Bhupathi has spilt with Leander Paes, an Indian team will again make debut at the Roland Garros and Wimbledon with the 10-time Grand Slam champion finally deciding to team up with Sania, who is promoted by his company Globosport.
"It was always going to happen. It was only a matter of time before I would play with either Mahesh or Leander.
"Mahesh had asked me earlier; we were supposed to play in a couple of Slams but we both had partners at that time, so it was just bad timing. Obviously, it's exciting (to play with Bhupathi), we share a great professional and personal relationship. He's been like family and our games also compliment each other well. I hit well from the forehand and he's one of the best backhand hitters I've seen."
Sania, who won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the Asian Games with Leander Paes, added that their partnership is only for the two Slams as of now and not for the US Open.
Having lost in the second round at the Bangalore Open last year, Sania will be looking to make amends and start her campaign strongly against Slovakia's Martina Sucha on Wednesday.
"Sucha has beaten (Marion) Bartoli recently (first round in Pattaya). She's playing well and it is good to face someone so tough in the first round itself. Today I hit the ball pretty well and it wasn't flying as much as it would."
And where does she hope to go from here?
"What I learnt from last year is not to think too ahead. I'll consider tournaments as they come; right now the focus is on Bangalore, and not even Doha, which is where I am headed next."
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