By IANS
Melbourne : Hopman Cup organiser Paul McNamee and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) members have come out strongly in support of Sania Mirza, saying she is just not the kind who would ever show disrespect to her country or the national flag.
McNamee has come out in support of Sania saying she loves representing India and would never intentionally be disrespectful to her country, said the newspaper, The Australian.
A WTA insider also backed Mirza, saying none who had met the world No.31 would ever accuse her of being disrespectful.
“She is probably one of the most respectful people I know, especially when it comes to her heritage,” the source said.
Also coming out in her support has been her manager and international tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi.
Both McNamee and Bhupathi also questioned the legitimacy of the photograph, saying the angle of the shot distorted the proximity of Mirza’s feet to the small plastic flag.
“Sania would have been there sitting at the back of the box, certainly not at the front,” McNamee said.
McNamee said Mirza, who was watching partner Rohan Bopanna in his singles match, was following a practice adopted by most players in keeping her legs raised to assist in overcoming a lactic acid build-up to prevent cramping.
“Her feet were up, like a lot of the girls do, because she had to get ready to play mixed doubles following her singles. It is just a normal situation,” McNamee said.
Sania arrived into Melbourne Thursday after being knocked out of the Hobart International by Italy’s Flavia Pennetta. Before that she played in the Hopman Cup in Perth.