After winning the Hyderabad Open and becoming the first Indian to win a WTA title, Sania Mirza says improving her fitness is her priority now.
Mirza, who got about 97 points and US $22,000 for the triumph, could not hide her delight after beating Alyona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in the final on Saturday.
"I am extremely happy and can't believe it.
"Now my immediate job is to get some medical attention and a fitness course," she said.
Mirza played in the Open nursing a left ankle injury right through.
Reflecting on her showing in the final, the 18-year-old Indian sensation said she was forced to change tactics in the decider as the Ukraine lass had got used to her game.
"I did change the tactics in the third set as my opponent got used to my fast paced game. I slowed it down and used more of my forehand rather deliberately," she said, adding she committed several mistakes in the second set because she was tired.
"But from there onwards I forced my opponent back and changed my pace to get good points."
Mirza said she lost "some concentration" in the third set after she thought she had served an ace and won the match.
"It was funny. I did not hear the net call as I turned back and thought I won. I realised there was something wrong when I looked into my opponent's eyes.
"Of course, I was disappointed and lost some of the concentration and also the game before coming back to take the next game."
Bondarenko was all praise for the "tough and hard" Mirza.
"She played good," she said.
Mirza too complemented her opponent, saying this was one of her toughest matches as the crowd too was against her.
On her next assignment, she said, "First I have to get my ankle cured and then it will be the Dubai Open which I am looking forward to."
She said though almost all the matches she played at the Hyderabad Open were tough, she still remembers her loss to Serena Williams in the Australian Open.
"I am yet play an opponent like her," she said.
