Mumbai: After a breakthrough year which gave her a career-best ranking, Sania Mirza said on Monday that she would start her new season with the belief that she can upset the top players, including World No 1 Justin Henin.
Sania said she has recovered from her injuries and is raring to go all out at the season's first Grand Slam – Australian Open, where she is eyeing an upset. "I feel fit right now and is good to start off the year without any injury. Many players, playing the Australian Open (next month) start off after a long break and this is the place where one can expect the most number of upsets," Sania said.
Sania said her win over Martina Hingis has boosted her confidence to take on the best and she even fancy her chances against current world number 1 Justin Henin of Belgium.
"If I have a choice I'll beat Henin. After defeating Martina (Hingis, at Los Angeles) you feel that you can beat the best in the game," she said after signing a contract with sports goods major Adidas.
Having missed the action for two months due to a knee injury this year, Sania said her priority in the new season would be to stay fit.
"My first goal is to remain injury-free throughout the season and avoid getting involved in any freak accidents. I feel fit right now and is good to start off the year without an injury," said Sania who reached a career high of 27 this year.
Sania also said she was eagerly waiting to play in her first Olympics later in the year.
"I have never played in China before, however, I have performed well at the Doha Asian Games and won medals, which was a great honour for me but this (Olympics) will be at a new level. Hopefully, I will continue to keep playing well and keep the form going till the Games begin," said Sania.
Sania said she doesn't bother much about her rankings. "If I am ranked 28 or 30 and go on and defeat the top ranked players that wouldn't bring me on the top. I only read it (my rankings) in the newspapers," she explained.
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