Tennis player Mirza pulls out of Bangalore Open to avoid rows

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

BANGALORE, India (AFP) — Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza on Monday opted out of next month's 600,000-dollar WTA Bangalore Open here to avoid controversies.

"I am not playing in Bangalore Open. I have been advised by my manager not to play because a lot has been happening in the past few months," said Mirza, ranked 29th in the world.

"Every time I have played in India, there has been some kind of problem. So we just thought it was better not to play this time."

Mirza had been criticised in the past by ultra nationalists for wearing short skirts and sleeveless tops on court, and before the Australian Open a row flared after she was shown with her bare feet resting near the Indian flag.

She also revealed before last month's Open she had considered...