Recognition, fame, felicitations, celebrations. Sania Mirza, 16, returned from the mecca of world tennis, Wimbledon, to all that and more. She may have earned no cash from winning the Wimbledon girls' doubles title with Russia's Alisa Kleybanova but was not complaining. As the first Indian girl to win a Grand Slam title of any kind, Mirza earned a priceless place in the history books.

Many hope Mirza's win will have a domino effect. Nandan Bal, former coach of the Indian team for the Fed Cup (the women's world team competition), says, "Just behind Sania is a bunch of 14-year-olds who could be really inspired by this." Mirza's coach S. Narendranath, an old national champion himself, adds, "It is a great boost to women's tennis in India."

TWO GOOD: Mirza (right) with doubles partner Kleybanova

Mirza's story was similarly inspired by other women. When she was just five, her parents watched Steffi Graf and Conchita Martinez play in the 1993 Wimbledon semi-final, with father Imran wondering what it would be like to watch Sania play at Wimbledon. "I will give my life for a chance like that," mother Nasima had replied. She didn't have to. Today, she travels with her daughter while Imran stays at home to take care of their seven-year-old daughter Anam. In the hullabaloo of festivities that marked Mirza's return home, including a welcoming party of 500 chanting her name at the Hyderabad airport, Mumbai-born Mirza said: "More than anyone else, my parents have made me what I am." Her innate qualities have also helped. Not just her technique ("she beats the crap out of the ball," says Bal), but also her strength of mind. Narendranath often gets a 7 a.m. phone call from his ward asking when she should be at practice-even if she has just landed in Hyderabad at 4 a.m. after an overseas event.

Her serious tennis training began at the Ace Academy in Hyderabad in 1997. She won her first major title (also doubles) in an ITF (International Tennis Federation, which runs the junior circuit) event in Pakistan in 1999. Her first ITF singles title followed in 2000 and today, she has won 10 singles and 13 doubles ITF junior titles. She has also won three singles titles and two doubles titles on the ITF women's tour.

FAMILY MATTERS: Mirza with mother Nasima, sister Anam and father Imran

Mirza spends up to four hours a day at work, hitting with the men, most often Narendranath and former Davis Cupper and pro Vasudeva Reddy, to improve her speed and power. "My aim is to grow as a singles player and be a success on the pro circuit," she says. Imran, a club cricketer, wants her to turn pro by 18 and is keen that she trains at the Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in the US.

It will cost a packet but in the past corporates like the GVK Group, a power and biotech firm which also owns the Taj Hotels properties in Hyderabad, have funded Mirza. After the Wimbledon win, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu pledged support through the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh and announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh and a plot to build a house. Sports Minister P. Ramulu found it simpler to refer to her as "Sonia". Mirza has also been supported by the Bhupathi firm, Globosport.

Bal believes her weapons are her gung-ho spirit on court, timing and the willingness to go for the winners. He feels her game could inch up a vital notch should she work on fitness and mobility-"I think that's what affects her in singles matches"-and she could also work on being a little more patient on court. Former Davis Cup player S.P. Mishra would like Mirza to "correct the flaws in her service". But he adds quickly, "She's the player to watch." With her Wimbledon win, she most certainly is.