Leave Mirza alone, pleads India tennis chief

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Sania Mirza needs to be left in peace to focus on her game and an elusive Olympic medal this year, Indian tennis chief Anil Khanna said on Friday.

His appeal came in the wake of a petition filed in a local court this week alleging the 21-year-old had shown disrespect to the national flag during the Hopman Cup mixed team event.

"Sania needs to be left alone," he told Reuters. "She has got a very important year ahead of her.

"More importantly in the Olympics, she will be playing in the women's singles and she has a great chance in women's doubles of winning a medal.

"It will bring tremendous glory for the country."

Mirza, a Muslim, became the first Indian woman to win a tour title in 2005 and quickly established herself as the darling of success-starved Indian sports fans and a youth icon for her fashionable dresses and ear-rings.

The world number 31, gearing up for the Australian Open starting on Monday, won praise for her sharp game at the Hopman Cup after her 2007 season ended early due to injury.

However, she has faced a series of complaints since she came under the spotlight.