> Sania doesn't want to play for India anymore!

Ninja

Paes criticises Sania's decision

February 05, 2008 19:00 IST
Last Updated: February 05, 2008 19:30 IST

Sania Mirza's decision not to play in India came in for sharp criticism from stalwart Leander Paes who said nobody is greater than the game and playing in front of own fans is the greatest joy for any athlete.

- Sympathy and salvos for Sania

Paes, an eight-time Grand Slam winner and India's current Davis Cup captain, said controversies are part and parcel of a sportsperson's life and one has to learn to tackle it.

"Look at every celebrity; who does not have controversies? We all have adversities. Every celebrity has adversities in their lives. It's how dignified and honest you are. It's about how you project yourself and how you handle them," Paes said, reacting to Sania's decision to pull out of the Bangalore Open to avoid being dragged into fresh controversies.

Paes, who has an estranged relationship with Mahesh Bhupathi [Images], whose Globosport company manages Sania, said no individual is greater than the game.

"I do not want to get into it. I am not bothered, but the greatest joy for any athlete is to play for the country and in the country and play for the people.

- 'Leander plays above his ability'

"Nobody is greater than the game. That's something Sania has to be careful about it," Paes told reporters, after a practice session of the Davis Cup team at the National Sports Club of India in New Delhi.

Former Davis Cup captain Naresh Kumar also criticised Sania's decision to pull out, terming it as a "juvenile and immature" one.

"It is a sad decision. It is an immature and juvenile decision. It is going to affect her game more and get her more controversies. We cannot get a player like Sania.

"They are saying that she will not play in the country for some time. But won't there be controversies when she plays again?" Naresh asked.

Bhupathi, who is part of the Davis Cup team for the tie against Uzbekistan, from Friday, showed up for the practice session in the morning but did not comment on the matter.

Source : Rediff

I wonder why Bhupathi acts so ametuerish at times. Being a mentor it is his responsibility to tell his juniors whats wrong and whats not. But having said that I am not at all disappointed that Sania isn't coming to Bangalore. Frankly she knew she didn't stand a chance against the williams' sisters

xXx

Good Riddance !!!

patch01

"no individual is greater than the game" - Leander Paes

That one sentence says it all, (imo) and it applies not only to Sania Mirza but to sportsmen & women of every nation, many of whom, become believers in their own publicity far too quickly and often to the detriment of their individual performances and to the chosen sport, (Lleyton Hewitt, classic example of a good player, who isn't quite as good as he thinks he is)

Having said all that, the media, sports and mainstream, need to step back and look hard at their own roles in sport. There is NO NEED to stir up controversy, (eg: Sania's feet being near a national emblem, the implication being she is stepping on the flag), when no insult, (and I would judge awareness on the part of the player) was intended...

Clearly in the case of the Sania/Flag incident, some b*stard has decided to go for some cheap publicity............

It's the same thing when ppl start talking about her tennis outfits, what else could she possibly wear?? Sania's a damn sight more discreet in her clothing than some of the get-ups worn by the Williams sisters....... (again, purely my opinion)

Safin

^^ Well you are right.
The matter was came up when some news channel started showing it and we all know the rot with the news channels these days. They will show anything for publicity.

But very importantly there are icons in all sports. In cricket, even in tennis where people have remained off the news. Sania should try to emulate them rather than finding ways to stay in the news. I refuse to think that she has no fault in all the controversies that surround her. Right from the old days where she went on to support Khushboo(some tamil actress) over her "modern" comments to wearing provocative Tshirts. I think she enjoys being the media but does not enjoy when the media takes it too far. You can't have it both ways.

Agnel

See, I agree with that statement made by paes. But sania has every right to decide whether she has to play or not right? If she feels that in india media for no reason wants to make news outta her then what is wrong in she saying she wouldn't play here?

I would agree with one thing. She needs to shut her mouth and sprite need to stop airing those idiotic attitude ads.

xXx

Boys Boys !!!!

Let Sania Burn in Hell !!!

Sania took advantage of INDIA to showcase herself & INDIA gave her the chance, & this is how she Repays it

Agnel

Originally Posted by xXx

Boys Boys !!!!

Let Sania Burn in Hell !!!

Sania took advantage of INDIA to showcase herself & INDIA gave her the chance, & this is how she Repays it

hey, whats the matter with u all?
She still represents india whereever she plays. IF she says, i am gonna get a US citizenship and play for USA then all that u say is fine. But, she is just keeping away from any further stupid controversies.
The media has to be blamed. We are all forgetting that it goes hurt when you respect ur nation and ur religion and media for the sake of publicity frame you in every way possible.

Blame the media and idiots who harp on issues with doesn't matter at all. Not her

xXx

MEDIA is an IDIOT, no argument on that

But if SANIA really had the passion for the game, she would had played in the open