BANGALORE: Sania Mirza will be among the top ten players on the WTA Tour within two years, Eric van Harpen, one of the most famous coaches in the world of tennis, feels.
Van Harpen, who coaches Russian Maria Kirilenko at present, has played a crucial role in the careers of stalwarts such as Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Conchita Martinez, as well as current players Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and Patty Schnyder.
He is here during the Bangalore Open, where his ward had an early exit, to hold discussions with concerned officials to enrole Indian junior stars for his academy in Switzerland.
Expressing his willingness to coach Sania, the Dutchman said "Sania is a top-10 product, but don't expect her to break in the near future. It will take two more years for her. But for sure she will make it. She needs lots of physical training and she has to beat some experienced and technically sound players."
"I had a discussion with Sania's father when Sania was coached by Gabriel Urpi. There are five players in the top-100 I would like to coach, of course No 1 is Maria Kirilenko, Danish girl Vaznaki (40), Ivanovic and Sania Mirza. Sania has great potential, she moves well on the court. She is the kind of player I like and want to coach. She has to improve a bit physically," Van Harpen said.
