Sania expresses desire to play in Pakistan

India's tennis ace Sania Mirza has expressed her desire to play exhibition matches in Pakistan if such an opportunity comes her way in future.
 
Sania, who pulled out of her women's singles first round match against Czech Iveta Benesova due to a wrist injury, told a group of Pakistani reporters in Beijing that she had no problems playing in Pakistan.
 
"I think it is a good idea if such an opportunity comes my way to go and play in Pakistan," she said.

Sania commands great fan following in Pakistan where tennis remains a relatively low key sport compared to cricket and hockey.
 
"You don't have tournaments there otherwise I would have loves to come and play in Pakistan," she said.
 

However, the 21-year-old Indian, ranked 65 in the world, said her Pakistan tour would totally depend on her schedule.
 
Overwhelmed to know about her fan following in Pakistan, she said whenever she visited Pakistan as a junior player she received good reception.
 
"I remember that my first ever tournament outside India was in Pakistan. Its great place and I will definitely go there in future when the opportunity comes," said Sania.
 
She was also hopeful that with the rise of players like Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, tennis would eventually grow in popularity in the strife-torn nation.
 
"This will happen specially with Aisamul Haq performing and playing so well. I am sure a lot more people will be coming up to play tennis in Pakistan," said Sania.

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