
Sania Mirza attacked the All India Tennis Association (AITA) for using her as ‘bait’ to pacify and lure a disgruntled stalwart (read Leander Paes) to represent India in the London Olympics-2012. She interpreted AITA’s compromise as ‘an insult to womanhood’ and a decision that reeked of ‘male chauvinism’. She also alleged that the said compromise had broken up the French Open Grand Slam winning combination of herself with Mahesh Bhupathi in the mixed doubles.
She also criticized Paes’s father for demanding a written assurance from her that she would pair only with Leander in the London Olympics mixed doubles. While expressing her anguish for such an unwarranted demand Sania said that she was committed to her country and would play with Leander for the larger interests. She did not spare even the stalwarts for their egoistic and grumbling behavior—Leander wanted only the best to partner him, Bhupathi did not want to play with him, the next best option Rohan Bopanna wanted to play with Bhupathi only and therefore the helpless AITA worked out a compromise of sending two men’s doubles teams and offering Sania as a 'concession' to Leander in the mixed doubles. The AITA was a picture of helplessness in its so-called defense of Sania’s attack.
Sania Mirza wrote to Leander upholding the case of Vishnu Vardhan as a very talented player and that there ought to be no second thoughts on partnering with him. On a positive note she said she was thrilled to be playing at the Olympics and for that she was ready to put her most humiliating experience aside.
With the Wimbledon Championships, the third Grand Slam event of the year, in full swing it would be interesting to watch how the disgruntled Indian tennis stars fare up to the challenge. They should realize, of course, that the same grass courts are going to be used in the London Olympics tennis events.
It is the boldest statement I have ever read. It is hitting straight on the AITA and the chauvinistic players. The main culprits are the morons of AITA. They should resign en-mass and apologize to Sania and Vishnu. Kudos to Sania for a wonderful statement which expresses her emotions very vividly.
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ReplyDeleteNot so familiar with Indians knowing Sania Mirza provided me some learning about Indian people. Anyway, good luck to her hope she will be participating in London Olympics.
ReplyDeleteSports politics. It does exist.
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