Mirza Tries to Get Media Off Her Back

From AFP: Starlet slams faith obsession

INDIAN sensation Sania Mirza has hit out at the obsession with her religion, saying more attention should be paid to her tennis than her Muslim faith.

The 19-year-old, who has just completed a three-week stint working on her serve and volley with Australian tennis guru Tony Roche, is regarded as a trailblazer for Indian and Muslim women, but wants people to stop blurring her profession and her beliefs.

"I think everyone mixes up religion and sport. I'm a sports person and religion is something very personal," she said.

"Yes, I'm a practising Muslim but I don't understand why only I'm asked about my religion. Everyone's got a religion out there. I wonder why no one else is asked about it.

"I feel it's a very personal thing. It's my personal choice and I don't feel the need to justify it to anyone."