Sania's next goal is to become world number one

Elated over ending the season with WTA year-end championship after a series of incredible victories, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has now set the goal to become world number one doubles player next season.

Sania, who returned home Tuesday to a warm welcome, believes she is getting closer to becoming number one in the world.

"At the beginning of the year I set the goals of winning a Grand Slam, a gold medal and WTA year-end championship. Now that I have achieved these goals, I will try and be number one. Hopefully, that will happen next year," she said.

Sania, who bagged Grand Slam and Asian Games gold besides three WTA titles this season, said it has been one of her best years. "Ending the season with year-end championship is like a dream."

Playing her last match with Zimbabwe's Cara Black, the 27-year-old won the WTA finals in Singapore Sunday. They crushed Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei and China's Peng Shuai 6-1, 6-0 in less than an hour.

On Black, Sania said she respected her decision to end the partnership.

"Maybe she is thinking of another baby. I wish her well. Of course, it is really hard, to win the biggest championship in the year and say that this is going to be our last tournament," Sania added.

Hsieh Su-wei will be Sania's new partner, and the Indian is looking forward to this partnership.

"I know her for a long time. She is almost of the same age. She is a great tennis player. She was number one a couple of months ago. She is ranked just above me now. I am looking forward to that partnership."

The Hyderabadi believes hard work is the secret of her success. "As long as you keep working, it will come. It does not happen overnight as people think and hope that it happens."

On how she felt when Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her on her victory, Sania said it was great.

She praised Modi. "He is an extremely dynamic personality. He is a great leader. I met him twice now. He tweeted to me a few times which is very exciting.

"Whenever I win, he is extremely encouraging. I think that is amazing for a prime minister to take notice of an athlete and encourage them," she added.

"I don't live in the past. I am happy with my present," Sania said when asked whether she still feels hurt over a BJP leader questioning her national identity.

"There are few silly people. You got to ignore them," said Sania, who dedicated her victory to India after bagging WTA finals title.