Plagued by a series of injuries on her first full year on the professional tour, it’s time for Indian tennis star Sania Mirza to take a reality check: is she running herself to the ground?

The 19-year-old has played 12 singles and 19 doubles matches this year. And on Saturday, she completed a Fed Cup assignment for India (four more matches) in Seoul, despite injuries to her serving elbow and lower back—India lost to Australia in the zone final. Now, a fitness expert who’s been closely associated with Sania has raised the red flag, warning that she may be “forcing her body beyond the limit”.

Others who have been associated with Sania are worried, too. Indian Fed Cup coach Enrico Piperno says Sania’s body “is not taking the strain”, while the Hyderabad star’s former travelling coach John Farrington feels she needs a “long rest”. Roy adds that it’s a matter of diet and recovery, too.

“Sania is trying beyond her capacity. To keep up with the pace on the tour, she is forcing her body beyond limit. She’s only 19, she shouldn’t rush things. My advice to her is—listen to your body, work on your mobility on court and overall strength,” says Kolkata-based Aparesh Roy, who has worked with Sania during Wimbledon, Dubai Open and Sunfeast Open last year.

“For a player who is forehand-dominated, the same set of muscles get stressed over and over again. Also, the fact that she started playing well before adolescence should be kept in mind, since the muscles don’t fully develop by then,” says Roy, adding that “mental strength” is what keeps her going despite these injuries.

Says coach Piperno: “It’s her first full year on tour and picking up injuries regularly and one’s body becoming increasingly susceptible is common. The fact that she prefers hard courts also contributes to her injuries. Hard courts are tough on the body for it takes a lot out of the player. Personally, I feel Sania’s body is not taking the strain. Maybe, she has a less athletic body. It’s all down to training. She’s worth more than what she’s achieved, but with her injuries, she’s not done enough.”

Roy, who has given Sania a diet chart to follow, feels that a balanced diet is crucial to endure rigorous training sessions at the highest level. “It is unfortunate that youngsters in India don’t realise the importance of a balanced diet comprising energy-yielding and body-building food. Foreign players are very disciplined in their food habits. Also, Indians give themselves very little time to recover. They don’t take a break unless it becomes impossible for them to continue playing anymore,” says Roy, a former Davis Cup trainer.

Sania’s former coach Farrington says rigours of the world tour are “such that injuries are bound to occur”. “Believe me, even the top players do not portray a good picture. I don’t agree that she (Sania) is overworking, but I surely know that she needs long rest as the day in and day out process of playing wears the body. She’s physically mature to take the pressure. But eventually one must agree that the body is so complex that problems could recur repeatedly.”

For Sania then, three-four weeks of rest would be top priority now before she gets back into the grind—that is, if all goes well.

Her injury scorecard • Aug 2005: Pulls abdominal muscle. Plays US Open with foot blisters • Oct 2005: Lower back strain, retires from Thailand Open • Jan 2006: Twists ankle. Plays Australian Open with taped knee • Feb 2006: Injures right elbow during Bangalore Open, goes on to play Dubai Open • April 2006: Hit by muscle spasm, hyperextension of lower back. Ignores doctor’s advice to play Fed Cup in Seoul