Real test for Sania begins now

Life will never be the same again for Sania Mirza. Her spunky performances Down Under have grabbed not only the attention of the country, but also the tennis world. In less than a week, she has transformed from a rookie into a star. That means glory and gravy certainly, but it also means harder work ahead.
Success inflates expectations. Sania has established a benchmark that will now have to be bettered to get the same kind of attention.Playing a top-ranker like Serena Williams was considered awesome till Friday; now it will be par for the course. To get the same kind of reverence from fans and respect from fellow players, she will now have to do exceed herself almost every time she steps on the court.
Women’s tennis today is flush with precocious teenagers, not all of whom actualise their potential. The burn-out rate is high because the Tour is taxing and the competition stiff. There is also the seduction of glamour and easy money. Only a handful survive.
In her autobiography, From Fear To Victory, former world No 1 Monica Seles writes: "Top players have no friends at their level on the tour. Friends tell each other secrets, share vulnerabilities, but you cannot show anyone on the tour your weakness: it would give your opponents a huge advantage over you, and there’s no doubt she’ll use it the next day on the court. I can’t recall one top player relationship that turned into a real friendship spanning years. It just doesn’t happen."
The days ahead for Sania will be tough, demanding and lonely if she wants to break into the top 50 this year, and 30 places higher the next. But true champions always take the road less travelled. That is the essence of sport, and if the last year is any indication, Sania seems to the manor born. She is unabashed about her own prowess or that of her opponent, and loves a challenge as much as she does earrings and trinkets. She has shown skill, grit, confidence and a good head — so far.
The real test begins now.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq must be in a tizzy as he goes from one chucker to another chakkar. Barely a couple of days after he admitted that some of his bowlers have problems with their actions came the allegations of rape against one of his players from a young lady in Melbourne. Add to that the regular drubbing his team has been receiving from the Aussies. Life’s cruel.
The veracity of the rape charge is yet to be established, but it will keep the hulk from Multan in a sulk for some days. If proved, the ignominy of such an incident could destroy team morale completely.
The chucking issue, of course, has more long-term ramifications. If Inzy himself feels that bowlers in his country are suspect, then the problem is monumental.
Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Shabbir Ahmed and Shahid Afridi (all names beginning with S, something for numerologists to chew on), to name a few, have been under the microscope for some time. Since all of them are young men, it is reasonable to assume that adjudication in such matters at the junior level is lax and no corrective measures are taken. But this problem is not restricted to Pakistan. From the names of bowlers who have been officially identified by the ICC, the malaise seems worldwide. And if the grapevine is to be believed, it is widespread too.
The ICC has shown earnestness in addressing the issue, but I am not convinced that a hardcore technical approach is the solution. It is at the rudimentary level that the problem needs to be licked.