Status: #33 in the Sony Ericsson WTA Rankings.
Ht: 5-7 1/2 Wt: 130
DOB: Mumbai, India In: Hyderabad, India
Tennis Inspirations: "Steffi Graf. I guess in the men it was Rafter and then Sampras. It basically kept changing. But right now it's obviously Federer [smiles]."
Hobbies/Interests: "Well, I like to sleep because that's not something I get to do very often [smiles]. And I'm not a very party person. I'd rather just go out for dinner or quiet dinner with some friends. Or watch a movie at home. I just like to relax more at home. I guess I'm more homely than being out all the time."
Favorite Movie: "Love Actually is one of them."
Favorite TV Shows: "Friends or Sex In The City."
Musical Tastes: "Nothing I can think of at the moment."
Early Tennis Memory: "I remember my coach didn't want to take me in his classes because he thought I was too small. And he claimed the racquet was bigger than me. It was when I was six [smiles]. And I can remember, I can picture the whole conversation my mom was having with him and my mom (Naseema) said to him, What is your problem? Just let her hit the ball. And then I remember him calling my dad (Imran) a month later saying that, I've never seen a six-year-old hit a ball like this [smiles]."
First Job: "Tennis I guess, yeah."
First Car: "It was a Suzuki. It's a small car. (Color?) Red, if I remember correctly."
Favorite Meal: "Indian food - Biryani. It's where I come from."
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Strawberry."
Greatest Sports Moment: "Playing Centre Court Wimbledon vs. Kuznetsova (2005)."
Most Painful Moment: "Losing that match 6-4 in the third."
Favorite Tournaments: "Obviously all the Grand Slams. Wimbledon is my favorite. I like Miami, the Sony Ericsson is one of my favorites."
Pre-Match Feeling: "I guess it depends on every match. Its different from when you're going on for mixed doubles or doubles or singles. The basic thought is to go out there and give 100% and not worry about how you play. Because you're gonna have off days and on days. And sometimes you're gonna be so strong nobody can touch you. And sometimes you can't hit a ball inside the court. But as long as you're trying 100% - that's what I motivate myself to do when I go on."
Funny Tennis Memory: "I remember seeing this board when I was playing in India, some fans had it. And one said, 'Sania Marry Me.' And then there were four more that said, 'And me and me and me [laughs]."
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: "Fortunately I've not had one as of yet. Never been so embarrassed with my game or myself, that I actually remember it [smiles]."
Favorite Vacation Spot: "I liked Malaysia."
Closest Tennis Friends: "(Marta) Domachowska - I've known her for about eight or nine years now. And Liezel Huber."
Funniest Players Encountered: "It's funny, a lot of tennis players have a very good sense of humor. I think - although I don't know Andy (Roddick) personally - I think, just by his interviews, he's one of the funniest guys on the Tour. I've seen and I've read a few in the tennis magazines and stuff. And he always comes up with his one-liners [smiles]."
Toughest Competitors: "It's hard to differentiate. Because if someone's playing at this level, I think everyone's gonna compete because this is our profession. And it's our life. And it's a means of livelihood. So I think everyone is as fiery as the other [smiles]."
People Qualities Most Admired: "I think one thing that's very hard to find these days but I would love to see - being the same in front of you and behind you - which you don't get to see very often. And one more thing, I guess. Basically not being two-faced. And in the last couple of years I've known who my real, true friends - because of the things I went through emotionally and physically. And I think one is the people who stand by you when you're not only up but when you're hitting the ground. That's the people I really want to know."
