Published: Nov 12, 2013, 04:10 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 12, 2013, 04:10 PM (IST)
Sania Mirza (above) said Sachin Tendulkar should be allowed to relax after his retirement © Getty Images
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
Nov 12, 2013
Indian Tennis star Sania Mirza on Tuesday said Sachin Tendulkar’s ability to handle humongous pressure from all fronts puts him in a different league of sportsmen. Sania was speaking at India Today’s ‘Salaam Sachin’ conclave at Mumbai.
Sania expressed, “As athletes we grow up under pressure here. One success can get you a lot of adulation, and then a defeat brings you down. But, Sachin has handled it beautifully. There is so much scrutiny. There was a time when there was a headline that said, “Endulkar”, but he bounced back in the next match and scored the ton.”
Sania said, “It is tough to a celebrity. Sachin has faced only one controversy in 24 years and that is amazing. I hope others can also do the same. I hope he sets an example not only for athletes, but also the media. He is an ideal ambassador. May be he was not into partying or hid it better.”
“He has a great family and kids. The fact that he kept performing regardless of what went around him is great. In the last 12 years, he has demanded that respect, which most athletes should,” she added.
During her speech, Sania also recalled the day Tendulkar had presented a Fiat car to her after she won the Wimbledon Junior title.
The Tennis star said Tendulkar should be allowed to relax for a while after his final Test match, against the West Indies at Mumbai which begins on November 14.
“We should let Sachin chill for a year. Let him relax a little bit and let him decide what he wants to do. We should let him be pressure-free for six months,” she said.
Catch live updates of the Salaam Sachin conclave here
