Hope more youngsters take up sports as career: Sania Mirza

HYDERABAD: Back in the country after a third successive WTA title triumph which catapulted her to the top of world doubles rankings, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza hopes that her feat would inspire youngsters to take up the sport as a career.

"It's an amazing feeling. It's great to come back home being the number one. To achieve this after putting in lot of work and sacrifice, it's really good," Sania, who arrived here late last night to a rousing reception, told reporters.

With star shuttler Saina Nehwal also achieving world number one rank for some time in badminton recently, she hoped that young girls and women would be inspired to take up sports as a career.

"Me and Saina having done this, I do hope that sports does become a career," she said.

Sania, who is leading the Indian team in the Fed Cup that began here yesterday, is expected to be seen in action in the event this evening.

India takes on Pakistan in the Fed cup match to be played this evening.