I must be careful of what I say: Mirza

Kolkata, Sep 18 (UNI) Apart from fighting form slump and plummeting rankings, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza says she needs to be tight-lipped for a slip could well result in a ''national crisis''.

''I have to measure every word I utter. Any slip from my lips can create a national crisis,'' the 19-year-old Sania said today.

The country's top women's tennis star, who has found herself embroiled in controversies in the past over her on-court attire, made the admission during a brief interaction with school kids at a programme here.

Participating in a question-answer session with the kids at the Heritage school, Sania said with success she has also become more responsible.

''In whatever I do, I have to be careful,'' she said, as some 50-odd students lapped up every word spoken by the tennis icon. A cheerful Sania, responding to a query about her funniest moment on court, recalled an incident during the Hyderabad WTA Open two years back.

''By the side of the court, there was a guy with a placard 'Sania, marry me'. And beside him were three other guys, each holding aloft placards 'and me, 'and me' and me'', she said, breaking into her trademark broad smile.

Another kid asked Sania what specific query she would put forth to her idol.

''Well, my idol is Steffi Graf. But whenever I have met her, I could never open my mouth. The day I manage to break my silence before her, I'll let you know,'' she said.

Sania also urged the students to follow their dreams.

''And you must enjoy what you are doing,'' she added.

Both the functions were marred by overzealous private securitymen.

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