Sania Mirza is a very big competitor: Maria Sharapova

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova on Sunday said that Sania Mirza's talent was really incredible and that she was a 'big competitor'.

"I think she has had so much success in the doubles court and when you play both singles and doubles, concentrating on all those events and all those matches is very difficult. So sometimes you might have to choose," said Sharapova, when asked about the Indian tennis star shifting her focus to doubles.

"But I think her talent was really incredible and even though we played a very long time ago, she was a very big competitor," added Sharapova, who played against Sania twice, including the fourth round at 2005 US Open.

Sharapova, who was taking to the media during a promotional event for Homestead Infrastructure Company here, said that she was rewarded for a great season

"Yes it has been a really remarkable year for me and I have had a nice little break. I am really grateful that I have opportunities to travel around the world and that I'm able to visit India for the first time. You know you have had a rewarding season to be able to come to a place that is new and unfamiliar territory to you," said Sharapova.

"When you know that people really appreciate what you do, you are excited to build new projects and start new partnerships. This really makes me happy. I love travelling around the world and I am very happy to be here," she added.