Wimbledon girls' doubles champion Sania Mirza says she is ready to break into the big league of women's tennis and will focus on gaining experience at the highest level rather than bother about her ranking.
The 16-year-old Hyderabadi said the US Open, beginning September 2, will be her last Grand Slam event in the junior category.
"After that I will focus on ladies," she told reporters in Bangalore.
Sania, who is the first Indian to win the Asian junior championship, last year in Delhi, said Bob Brett, who coached former Wimbledon champions Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic, has been approached to train her.
The Frenchman is expected to watch her game at the US Open.
Asked how difficult it would be in the women's ranks, Sania replied, "Quite tough," but added she is ready for it, as the triumph at the All England championship has given her "a lot of confidence".
"Next two years, I want to learn a lot. I will not be too much worried about my ranking. I will focus on gaining experience and match-practice," said Sania, a sworn Steffi Graf fan.
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'My aim is to be a top 50 pro'She said she will fly to Canada on August 20 to take part in the Canadian Open from August 25, followed by the US Open and thereafter a $25,000 Challenger event in Georgia.
In all these events she will play both singles and doubles.
Sania, who won the doubles title at Wimbledon partnering 13-year-old Aleysa Kleybanova of Russia, said she is looking for a new doubles partner.
Asked about the possibility of her joining forces with the US-based Tara Iyer, who is known for her height and athleticism, Sania said: "It could happen. I have to see."
Sania had beaten Tara to win a tournament in Manila.
She made no secret of her desire to become a specialist singles player, but said she would also be playing doubles as it is a kind of "back-up".
Sania, who won the mixed doubles bronze medal with Leander Paes at the Asian Games in Busan, added she is making efforts to improve her foot-work and serve right now.
Asked about her world doubles ranking, she said it is number three.
"They (International Tennis Federation) are taking a decision in October," she said.
The ITF had not given her 180 bonus doubles points for winning the Wimbledon title, withholding it for technical reasons.
On the coming US Open, she expressed confidence of putting up a good performance.
"I will try my best, and the rest is up to the God," she said.
Sania has played in eight Grand Slam tournaments and 63 international junior tournaments, in which she won ten singles and 13 doubles titles. She reached the semi-finals of the French Open doubles this year with 15-year-old Sanaa Bhambri.
More interviews with Sania Mirza:
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It is a dream win: Sania-
'Playing in India doesn't help a lot at the moment'
