An Interview With Shikha Uberoi

Shikha Uberoi , a name which glows like a bright spot in the chapter of Indian women’s tennis history is an Indian- American women’s tennis player , although being an American Citizen . Eager to represent India in international events , it highly suggests her proudness of being an “ Indian” in overseas . With a career high ranking of 122 , she has allowed her tennis to do all the talking .

Sania And Shikha Uberoi

Linus : How is your tennis career progressing? What is your playing schedule for 2011?

Shikha : I am playing mostly doubles now. I am really looking forward to playing World Team Tennis this summer, some charity events and some summer tournaments in the US and India. It is definitely hard making a comeback and it is especially difficult with limited funding but I am doing my best.

Linus: Playing for India is…… Stephen and Prakash Amritraj, Suneetha Rao and the two of you would feel very disappointed about the India government’s decision to disallow players of Indian origin representing India. What were your reactions to the move? Does it rankle? How have you handled it?

Shikha : It most certainly hurts me, emotionally more than anything. I dont believe that a piece of paper or decision proves where a person’s sentiments are but none the less it is extremely vital for me to have my pride and joy restored by being allowed to compete for India again. We are fighting the case the best we can and will continue to do so.

Linus : There is a section that believes that PIO sportsperson(s) choose to play for India because there exists less or no depth in Indian sport. It then becomes virtually a free ticket.What is your response?

Shikha : I totally disagree. I cant respond on behalf of other sports but this is absolutely not the case in tennis. Regardless of what country you play for, in the game of tennis, you have to be darn good to play on the world tour. There is no easy way to make it on the WTA Tour, tennis is not a team sport and you play against thousands of other girls all trying to be number one. There are no free tickets in India or in the game of tennis, you earn everything you have achieved.

Linus : Comments On winning a silver for India at the 2006 Doha Asian Games…

Shikha : WOW! Its one of the greatest achievements of my life and something I wish to tell my grand children about one day.

Linus : Is Indian tennis going anywhere? What do you think of Mahesh Bhupathi’s initiative ‘Mission 2018: A Grand Slam champion by 2018’?

Shikha : Of course Indian tennis can go forward and any initiative is a step in the right direction. I wish him all the best for his mission and I think he is doing a great service for Indian tennis and our nation.

Linus : Playing Venus Williams at the 2004 US Open is one of the highlights of your career. How do you feel about that match? Anything you would have changed?

Shikha : That was my break through match and something I will cherish forever. I definitely wish I would have made a few more first serves in and if a few volleys would have dropped in that would have been nice.

Shikha-Uberoi

Linus : Is asthma still an issue?

Shikha : NO YAAAY! ITS SO MUCH BETTER. Thank GOD!

Linus : Tell us about the Uberoi Sisters foundation and its objectives.

Shikha : The Uberoi Sisters Foundation is an umbrella organization for various initiatives, goals and social issues my sisters and I have started or recognized. An example of an initiative is when I started the ‘Millionaires to Slumdogs Movement’ after the blatent lack of responsibility my patriots were showing towards dalits, slum life and poverty. The heart beat of the foundation targets social issues and some of the big ones are female infanticide, poverty and sports in the main stream of youth life.

Linus : How does it feel to be recognized as Vivek Oberoi’s cousin or Suresh Oberoi’s niece in India? How did you get the sobriquet “People’s Princess”?

Shikha : Well I guess my family is made to perform. I dont really see them as Bollywood actors, I see them as my Bhaiya and Toaji, so it hardly makes a difference to me. I do like it when people know me for my tennis first, and then a few moments later they question, “are you by chance related to the bollywood Uberois?” That happens more often then not, and I am pleased with the media and my achievements when it does.

As for the peoples princess, a whole bunch of fans initiated that title for me and extended it to me on facebook. It was so flattering, when they said ” You never see yourself above or below anyone and you feel us, know us and we can see that when you play and speak to us.” I was truly moved by that comment.

Linus : Is your dream of becoming India’s Oprah still on track?

Shikha : 100 percent on track! I am going to have an incredible summer regarding that but thats all I can disclose at this moment. You can call me Oprah Chopra lol, Neha gave me that name.

Rapid Fire Round :

12. One word that describes you best?

Joyous

13. Your favourite movie….

Andaz Apna Apna

14. Music currently listening to….

At this very moment “Payoji Mene” on youtube on my computer, Lata Mangeshkar’s.

15. If there was one men’s player, you would take out for dinner, who would it be and why?

HANDS DOWN, NO HESITATION, IN A SINGLE HEART BEAT ROGER THE GREAT FEDERER. I think I would even try to convince him to marry me by the end of the meal. Why? Cuz hes the greatest player ever in the history of the world, everything I aspired to be and a class act.

I was quoted as saying, “If God played tennis, He’d play like Federer” now I would like to say ” If God played tennis, he would lose to Federer”. I know he is not dominating a before but the guy has my heart.

Sorry keeda fans, this cant be a rapid fire question I am just too crazy about him and I could go on and on.