Saniastorm

It may have seemed bizarre to most, the prize distribution ceremony beginning with the winner8217;s family and friends being felicitated. N...

It may have seemed bizarre to most, the prize distribution ceremony beginning with the winner8217;s family and friends being felicitated. Not quite Centre Court. Yet if there was one factor apart from her own will power and talent that today made Sania Mirza the first Indian ever to win a WTA title, it was the role played by those closest to her.

For one week, Team Sania 8212; parents Imran and Naseem, sister Anam, close friend Sabah Azmi and mentors Krishna and Mahesh Bhupathi 8212; acted as a support group in every sense of the word, from pre-match preparations to post-win celebrations.

Anam says her own day today began with just one thought: Don8217;t let her get injured. Then the family threw a protective ring around the 18-year-old, cracking jokes, dancing to music, anything to keep her mind off the match, keep the tension away.

Anam came up with this winning line: Hindustan ki beti, tennis beauty, dushmano ko peeti, hamesha jiti. That, she said, calmed her sister down.

That8217;s why every time she fluffed a point, or felt a twinge in her ankle, or saw herself slipping down into a position beyond salvage, Sania looked up to one part of the stands, made the connection and infused the positive vibes.

This past week has been unusual experience for both sides. Sania doesn8217;t usually have an entourage 8212; her mother is her regular companion on tour 8212; and Team Sania doesn8217;t often see her playing at home.

Before the final, this reporter asked Sania what winning would mean to her. Her eyes lit up as she replied: 8216;8216;You8217;ve got all of these people around you, people you yearn to have every time you play.8217;8217;

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Little things meant a lot. The 8216;8216;S-a-n-I-a, S-a-n-I-a8217;8217; chant that Anam started, for example. Does it distract the player? 8216;8216;I think of it purely in terms of the love she8217;s expressing8217;8217;, says Sania.

In the match against Zie Zheng, Anam and her merry gang single-handed sparked Sania8217;s revival with a huge cheer during breaks. And there was one moment today that summed up the inspirational powers. In the ninth game of the third set, Sania two points away from the title, there was one moment of hushed silence. Out cried this voice: 8216;8216;You can do it, Sania.8217;8217; Sania8217;s forehand winner left her opponent struggling, and herself a point away from history.

8216;8216;She doesn8217;t have too many friends8217;8217;, says classmate Sabah whose ritual is a daily call to help Sania relax. 8216;8216;Today I suggested she pray and go out with a positive attitude8230;she8217;s tough when it comes to anything that goes against her in a match.8217;8217; Mother Naseem shouts the occasional 8216;8216;Come on, you can do it8230;Fight!8217;8217;

8216;8216;You need that type of support8217;8217;, says close friend and guide Mahesh Bhupathi. 8216;8216;Look at8230;the tennis she8217;s played this week8230;anyone anywhere would have supported her.8217;8217;