Sania Mirza is "upset" over accusations that she disrespected the National Flag and is giving a serious thought to whether she should continue with her tennis career as she frequently finds herself entangled in some or the other controversy.
"She is very upset. It is a major issue for her. At the end of the day, she is a 21-year-old girl trying to do her best by everyone," Mahesh Bhupathi, India's doubles ace and her manager, was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.
"Everything is adding up and she is starting to wonder whether it is all worth it, but people close to her, they are telling her to hang in there," India's doubles ace said.
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Sania was recently embroiled in a controversy over the shooting of a commercial in the premises of the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and tendered an apology in the matter.
Close on its heels comes the legal case filed against her by a Bhopal resident for allegedly showing disrespect to the Tricolour.
Images of Sania putting her feet towards the flag while watching Rohan Bopanna's match at Hopman Cup in Perth were flashed all over newspapers and television channels.
If found guilty under the Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act, Sania could face a three-year term in jail. Bhupathi said these issues were disturbing the tennis star.
"It is affecting her form. It is affecting her mentally. Not many people would know this, but I, as her manager, know that she turned down a six-figure sum from another event to play for her country in Perth.
"People don't know what goes on behind the scenes, yet they make these irresponsible and ignorant accusations. You don't turn down big money to play in another event if you don't love your country," Bhupathi said.
All India Tennis Association has also come out in Sania's support saying too much is being made of trivial issues and she should be kept away from controversies to allow her to play freely.
"It is most unfortunate that Sania Mirza's name is being dragged unnecessarily from one controversy to the other. Such situations are affecting her performance," AITA Secretary General Anil Khanna said.
