Sania signs up with Aussie physical trainer : Sid

BANGALORE: Sania Mirza, the injured Indian tennis star, whose painful wrist condition consigned her to the sidelines for the better of the summer of 2008, has tied up with reputed trainer Amir Takla in a bid to bounce back into competitive mode.

The Hyderabadi will initially work with the heavyweight Aussie for a six-week period, starting September 2. Sania injured her right wrist during the Indian Wells tournament in late March, necessitating surgery in Miami in April.

The 21-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of 27 in August 2007, missed the French Open and though she played the grasscourt season, struggled with her game for most part.

Sania then went on to play tournaments in Stanford, Los Angeles and Stockholm before her painful wrist condition forced her out of the first round singles match at the Beijing Olympics. She later pulled out of the US Open. She has since been advised three weeks of rest.

"I am determined to sort out this niggling problem once and for all," Sania told TOI. "I'm a positive person and I feel confident of a speedy recovery under the guidance of Amir, whose knowledge and experience is unquestionable."

Takla, a musculoskeletal and sport physiotherapist, is consultant to Tennis Australia and the Grand Slam of the Asia Pacific - the Australian Open. He specialises in strength training and injury prevention and management.

Sania first ran into the Aussie at the Australian Open earlier in the year, when he treated her after she tore her adductor muscle en route to the mixed doubles final. He was largely responsible in getting her back on her feet to play the final.

Sania's father Imran, said: "The main aim is to strengthen the wrist, and bring it to its earlier condition and level of performance. The rest of her body also needs to be strengthened. We are looking at Sania playing a few tournaments later in the year to prepare for the Australian Open."

The break from competition should give the Indian a chance to work on her overall fitness. Should she regain the control and strength on her forehand, which was the reason she went under the knife earlier in the year, she will forge a new threat in the coming season.

Sania Mirza most popular in Pakistan : Sid

The Hyderabad based tennis sensation Sania Mirza is not just a youth icon but is also a heartthrob of the teenagers. Sania is both talented as well as good looking and she is a big draw everywhere.
Sania Mirza is a big draw in Pakistan too. According to the latest reports, Sania is the most searched name in Pakistan today. Surfers in Pakistan have searched Sania Mirza on Google more than anyone else in the recent past.

Sania Mirza Retires From Singles Event in Olympics : Sid

BEIJING (Reuters) - Sania Mirza retired with a wrist injury against Czech Iveta Benesova in the first round of the Olympic tennis event on Monday.

Mirza was trailing 6-2 2-1 when her right wrist became too painful.

"It was hurting before I even came to Beijing but it's the Olympics so you have to try and give it your best shot," Mirza told reporters clutching an ice pack.

"The timing is very bad. I've been on painkillers for the last six days and took four this morning but what worries me is that I could still feel it with that many painkillers."

Mirza, who recently had wrist surgery, said she may still try and play doubles with Sunitha Rao. They were given a walkover into the second round when French pair Tatiana Golovin and Pauline Parmentier pulled out after an injury to Golovin.

Mirza's injury follows the withdrawal of top seed Ana Ivanovic on Sunday with a thumb injury.

American Lindsey Davenport also pulled out of the single