The sore ankle may be a cause of concern for Indian sport's new pin-up girl but Sania Mirza [Images] is determined to showcase her skills in front of home fans at the Hyderabad Open beginning next week.

The 18-year-old said she is playing in the WTA tour event, not out of any "obligation" but because it is her home event.

"Nobody has forced to me play the Hyderabad Open. I want to play because it is my home event and I want to play in front of my home fans," Sania said.

Also Read Exclusive interview - Sania Mirza Sania moves up in WTA rankings Navratilova for Hyderabad Open

Sania, who became the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event at the Australian Open, said "the feeling had sunk in long ago" and she is back to the grind.

The 18-year old has been practising and working at the gym to get back to peak form ahead of the USD 140,000 prize money WTA Tour event starting next Monday.

Sania said the left ankle, which was injured two weeks before the Australian Open, would not hamper her performance in the Tier-4 event.

She said she is happy with such additional responsibilities and attention following her exploits Down Under.

"Really it is good for the sport in the country. People are becoming aware that there are other sports where we can excel, not just cricket. Pressure has always been there, it comes with success," the 2003 Wimbledon girls doubles winner said.

But the teenager, playing her first full season on the senior circuit this year, is sure that the newfound stardom will not distract her from the game.

"Tennis comes first for me. The attention and interviews are there only because of tennis. If I have an obligation, it will be only second. I will always put tennis first," she said.

After her dream run at Melbourne Park, where she reached the third round before losing to eventual winner Serena Williams [Images], Sania had said that she was re-adjusting her goal for the year, to reach the top 50 in the world rankings.

The biggest draw at the Hyderabad Open will be Martina Navratilova who will be playing only the doubles.

Indian fans would be very keen to see the legend pair up with Sania, but Martina, the thorough professional that she is, would be keen to play with someone who could help her win the title.

That doesn't rule out Sania yet, for she is the defending doubles champion.

The Hyderabad girl has also received a wild card for the USD 170,000 event in Bogota, Columbia, which starts a week after the Hyderabad event.

Should she go all the away to play either of the finals at the Hyderabad Open, it is going to be a close run. Not to mention the stress it is going to put on her ankle.

Sania, however, is happy to drift into the Australian Open mood and the Yarra river that runs through Melbourne has a special attraction for her.

"I had been to Melbourne two-three years back for the juniors' event. I am not a person who is keen on going out on tours," she said.

"But I know the Yarra river, you have to cross it everyday on the way to and back from the stadium."

Former world number one Jim Courier of the US set the trend when he dived into the river after winning in 1992 and 1993.

"Guillermo Coria (of Argentina) too dived," Sania is quick to add.

Did she herself think of diving into it after matching Serena Williams stroke for stroke?

"No way!"

• Complete tennis coverage
• All you want to know about Sania Mirza