Sania Mirza on why its difficult for India to produce international tennis stars

India's most accomplished female tennis player Sania Mirza has slammed the attitude of the All India Tennis Association, and blames it for India's lack of international tennis champions. According to Sania, this is "nothing new, and has been going on for generations".

India's Sania Mirza during the first round of her women's doubles match at the Australian Open tennis championships 2017 Source: AP

In Melbourne for Australian Open 2017, Sania is competing in the Womens Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the Australian Open, and spoke to the press after her first round victory in the former category.

Sania spoke about her Czech partner Barbora Strycova in glowing terms, and highlighted what makes playing at the Australian Open so difficult - Melbourne's weather!

Indias Sania Mirza, and partner Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic celebrate during their first round women's doubles match at the Australian Open 2017 Source: AP

Commenting about the open letter that recently-retired Indian tennis player Somdev Devvrarman has written to All India Tennis Association, Sania said "Som makes some very valid points. We've all had problems with the federation at some point or the other", adding, "this has been going on for many many years, for  generations, and that's why it is very difficult for India to produce international players

Manpreet K Singh has this report.