It’s official. As first reported in The Indian Express, Sania Mirza will have a three-week stint with Tony Roche — coach also to Roger Federer — in Sydney in December.CGK Bhupathi of Globosport, Sania’s managers, had told this reporter earlier this month that “negotiations are on but nothing has been finalised.” Today, his son Mahesh confirmed the news but said he was not aware of the areas Roche would be looking to improve upon. “Sania will be leaving for Sydney in the first week of December. But I don’t know what aspects of her game Tony would be looking to improve on,” he said.The deal was brokered by former Davis Cupper Jaidip Mukerjea, who knows Roche from their playing days. ‘‘I’d pointed out a few chinks in Sania’s game when she was here for the Sunfeast Open and suggested to her dad that I could get Tony to work on her game’’, Mukerjea said today. ‘‘Sania was very excited when she heard about it, and eventually Tony agreed.’’What areas would Roche work on? Serve, volleys and movement around the court, said Mukerjea. ‘‘Sania can never have a big serve like say Venus Williams but she can at least have a more consistent serve. She tends to lose rhythm and, as such, serves serial double faults. Also, she needs to overcome the fear of coming into the net. She is such a fine player from the back of the court but needs to approach the net more often. Tony being a great volleyer of his time will be of immense help to her.’’The best part about Roche, he said, is that he doesn’t mince words. Another Aussie to get our stars into shape!
