The HINDU Monday, February 14, 2005
Sania revolutionised women's game in India: Ramanathan Krishnan
MUMBAI, FEB. 13. Doyen of Indian tennis, Ramanathan Krishnan told The Hindu at the Cricket Club of India that Sania Mirza has `broken the ice and revolutionised' Indian women's tennis. When asked if it's a pleasant surprise to see the Hyderabad girl Sania emerge as a new sporting idol, Krishnan said: "When someone asks me a question like this, I have to go back to a longer period of time and recall events of the 1950s when my career began and spanned close to 25 years. Those days girls were not allowed to wear skirts and shorts. It's regarded as `unfeminine' if a girl ran and played fast. It was against social customs then, although I thought it was wrong and did not agree with it. Mothers would not let their daughters travel alone and take them away from tennis courts. Girls based in Madras will play in Madras and girls based in plantay would play only in plantay. There were a few Anglo-Indian women who played in skirts and shorts. Indian women played in saris and salwar kameez that too for decoration, but it restricted mobility. Tennis is all about mobility.''
Krishnan said about a dozen women players took part in the National championship then and about six in the South India championship. "To make up for the draw, the entries will be filled with dummy names like `Bat, ball, volley and smash.' The first girl to break the tradition was a Panjabi girl from Calcutta, Rita Davar. She reached the junior final at Wimbledon in 1952 and was on match point. I was a witness to that. Later she married a German and I have not heard about her since.''
He has not seen Sania play, but felt that she has been able to overcome obstacles with tremendous support from her parents, coaches and sponsors. "She is travelling alone like a professional tennis player and I hope she makes good progress in her career and achieves greater feats.''
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Krishnan said that when everybody was talking about where Indian tennis would go after Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania has changed the script.
Talking of her tennis, Krishnan said: "Women's tennis is always built around one strong weapon and making it up with others with no outstanding weaknesses. I think Sania belongs to that group. I am told she has a good forehand. What Sania has also done is shift the talk from men's tennis to women's tennis. Nirupama Vaidyanathan was the first to win a grand slam singles match, Sania has surpbutted all and hence has revolutionised women's tennis in India.''
