[JulieSmithdccd]

I had got into a depression: Sania Mirza
Nandini Kumar
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 03:31 IST


You would remember this image — an overwrought Sania Mirza wincing in pain as she retired hurt from the first round of the Beijing Olympics in August, the wrist injury thereafter keeping her out of action. This was followed by a fall to world No.101 from the exhilaration of top-30 (world No.27). Depression was inevitable. “It’s definitely been a low for me, especially after the Olympics. I had got into a depression,” a refreshingly cheerful Sania told DNA on Monday.

She arrived in Bangalore for a three-week tennis camp, as a run-up to her exhibition match in Hong Kong (JB group Classic tennis tournament) in January 2009, followed by the WTA event at Hobart and the Australian Open, where she will play mixed doubles alongside Bhupathi.

She was forthright about feeling despondent. “I didn’t want to watch the US Open because I couldn’t play. I didn’t get out of the house for two three weeks. I did not want to meet people. I think that’s when my friends and family counted,” she said. “They have been there and supported me - whether it was Mahesh (Bhupathi) or my dad or my friend Megha, who is also my manager. It’s a part and parcel of our career and we need to deal with it.”

Happily, the injury and the pain both seemed to be a thing of the past on Monday, as the tennis player went through a two-and-a-half-hour long training session with Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna at the Tennis Village. “I am feeling great right now. I don’t regret anything that has happened in the past. I am a positive person and I am just looking forward to a good new year, and trying to stay healthy,” she said.

She said her struggle had been educational. “I have learnt a lot in the past few days. It’s taught me to be patient; it’s taught me to accept things. Tennis is a part of my life and not my life,” she said

Rest of articlr: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1214295

[JulieSmithdccd]

Refreshing hearing her talk so candidly about this. I always thought players like Capriati and Pierce benefitted greatly by discussing their demons out loud, something that certianly isn;t encouraged in our society. And maybe someone (I know Sania has a number of fans here) knows better, but I'd guess that Indian society isn't real big on discussing depression in the press, though I could be wrong.


I was at Sania's match against Shahar at IW (Sania won). I saw a huge improvment in her game from the match I saw her play at the USO the year before (against Chaks). Seemed Sania was making some great headway before this latest bout with her wrist. Hope she can stay healthy this season.

[RooxiaNof]

2009 will be crucial for Sania as she will try to live up to her promise.

[Imampaictjg]

I really hope the wrist injury is behind her.

[formobilagsw]

Wow. Considering all of the other things Sania had to deal with...I'm glad she got the depression out of the way. It could have really crippled her.

So....happy and injury free! It'll be fun to see what she can do. I'm cautiously optimistic!