By IANS
New Delhi : Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza doesn't need to stick to one coach for a long time, said Mahesh Bhupathi, whose company manages her.
"I don't think she needs to stick to any coach for a long time. There is absolutely no problem in changing coaches," said Bhupathi Wednesday on the sidelines of a press conference at which he announced his Bangalore based company Globosport's tie-up with real estate major Ansal Properties.
Sania has changed coaches at will ever since she reached the third round at the 2005 Australian Open in her debut year as a professional.
From S. Narendranath to John Farrington and Tony Roche, none had a long stint with her. She now has Spaniard Gabriel Urpi, who also coached former Grand Slam winner Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain, as the travelling coach and Mustafa Ghouse as her hitting partner.
Bhupathi said Sania should be given more time as she had done well this year.
"She is just 20 and has a long way to go. This year so far she has done incredibly well by moving from 76th to 38th in the singles rankings," he said.
Bhupathi also said once he and his erstwhile partner Leander Paes retire, there won't be a vacuum in Indian tennis and Sania would be the apt successor, albeit in the women's event.
"I think even after we retire, Sania will still keep the Indian flag flying," he said.