Sport

I agree with Mr Padukone. I have been maintaining for the last three years that Sania Mirza is not the great the media hype would have us believe she is. At the international level, she is at the third rung at best. In India, the media worships a player after just one major win; and that sometimes goes to the player's head. Sania started brilliantly; but staying on top is very difficult when the media is always 'hounding' you.

I agree with Prakash. Saina has done better than Sania. She has the capability of being world number 1.

Yes, I think for too long we (primarily the media) have been backing the wrong horse. It's always been hype and hoopla where Sania was concerned. Unfortunately, none of this got translated into tangible results, down the line.

Badminton, on the other hand, failed to get its due. I remember reading once that the players had to call off a tournament because the organizers couldn't get funding together for shuttlecocks!

Let's hope Saina's rise heralds a new era for this vastly underrated game!

Of course Padukone is right. Saina is now ranked 7th in the world. The day Sania is ranked 7th in tennis, we can say she has matched Saina. I hope India marches ahead of the glamour of cricket, tennis, and chess to all other sports. It is high time we start producing world beaters in a majority of games. Our aim should not be to criticise the cricketers but to make all other sportsmen like the cricketers!

I completely agree with Prakash. Saina has breached the top 10 world ranking, which Sania has not been able to do. Saina Nehwal is a better sportsperson than Sania Mirza. Since Sania is good looking, she has more popularity, but quality always pay in a longer term.

When the going was good, Sania hogged the limelight. Remember the meeting with Sonia Gandhi and the crores of rupees given by the Andhra government? It is all over. Freaks of winning here and there are things of the past. We talk of Grand Slams. She could not do anything worthwhile except going into the second round at various tournaments. Saina is showing consistency and we wish her well.

The topic is totally incorrect. What has Sania Mirza achieved to be compared? Either she is prone to injuries and backs out of major events or has been kicked out in the first 2/3 rounds.

I am surprised to see the comparison between apples and oranges. It shows the short-sightedness of the people involved. I wish they could be more mature and appreciate everybody's efforts instead of comparing them. I am happy that Sania is not being compared with world chess champion V Anand.

Yes, Mr Padukone is right. One has glamour and encashes it. The other has pure talent. Mr Padukone needs to take care that she, too, does not go for cash. Otherwise, after some time, there will be no debate.

Prakash's comparison is ridiculous. Tennis is a great game and needs more stamina. And it is dominated by Western players. In shuttle, 99% of players are from Asian countries. So comparing Saina with Sania is not worthy. Sania's achievement is greater.

Yes, what Prakash says is absolutely right.

These are two different games. However, what Prakash said is absolutely right. Saina is way better and an achiever. Forget Sania, she has been in the news only for injuries and backing out of games.

How is this even a debate? It is quite obvious. Saina rocks!

I have seen Saina playing in Manila about 2 years ago and all I can say is that she has the potential of Susie Susanti, probably the most famous world No 1, provided she remains consistent (and doesn't get married!).

I totally agree. Sania got all the appreciation a bit too fast. I hope that doesn't happen with Saina. A Padma Shri has become so easy these days. I was quite shocked how she was honoured with such a coveted title when there were thousands worthy left unrecognised. It all boils down to lobbying and marketing.

Saina, keep up the good work and please stay grounded. All the best. Women champions in badminton are also rare in India.

I also agree with many. Sania Mirza is just hyped. On the other hand, Saina has come a long way without anybody's support. I guess we all should support sportspersons like Saina in every possible way.

Hey, Mr Padukone, you are supporting the game you played. Moreover, don't forget that you climbed the ladder of success because of your father. Badminton is a local game played and dominated by local players, whereas tennis is a grand game, so this comparison is poor. Better concentrate on your coaching, man!

Yeah, I agree, too. Sania Mirza is a good player and probably the best lady tennis player India has produced, but she got unusually good press due to her good looks. She deserves that, too.

If beating higher-ranked players is of any value, then, yes, Saina is better. Like he said, tennis players can pick and choose the tournaments to play to get to a higher rank. Not sure players in badminton can do the same. If yes, what was the credibility of the higher-ranked players that Saina beat?

Sania is all hype and hoopla. She is more like Anna Kournikova. She has come this far just because of her looks and glamour. Saina is a champion and is a better and more consistent performer than Sania.

Very true. Sania Mirza has been over-hyped, more like the Indian cricket team. They are all money and no work.

Saina has really worked her way up the ladder silently without distracting herself with the ad mad world. All the best, Saina, keep up the good work. All our wishes go with you.

Viewed

Emailed

Sport »

Other sections »

Sport »

Other sections »