Shikha trying to get focused to push ranking

Kolkata, Sep 20 (UNI) For Shikha Uberoi getting the demons out of her mind are the first things she needs to do in order to get her tennis going.

Talking to UNI, she said, ''There is something in my head that I need to get out. I need to focus on the game. At this moment it is not happening. But I hope it will be okay soon.'' Shikha, who reached a career high singles ranking of 122 last year, admitted that her performance had not been up to the mark so far in 2006.

''The results are not up to my expectation,'' she said.

Now in the city to play the 175,000 dollar WTA Sunfeast Open, Shikha's singles campaign ended in the first round itself when she went down to Czech girl Hana Sromova in straight sets.

Asked if she missed her sister Neha, who is not traveling, she said, ''I miss her in every step I take in every move I make. But now she has a coach and has her schedule and we will travel as much as we can.'' However, Shikha also feels that media hype over Indian ace Sania Mirza is making things difficult for other women players of the country.

''I think the media should treat every player equally. They should highlight the achievements and talents of every deserving player,'' says Shikha, India's number two women's tennis star.

The 23-year-old has no reservation in acknowledging Sania's greatness and her contribution to Indian tennis.

''She has done well. So, it is natural that she will get more attention. But it's definitely very difficult when the young talents see that you (the media) are only focussing on Sania, and their talents are not being recognished,'' Shikha said.

Born in Mumbai, Shikha started playing tennis when she was only six. But she began seriously pursuing the game four years later.

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