We like to think Richie McCaw has to deal with intense expectations. We look at Benji Marshall and imagine the pressure on his shoulders. We know Irene van Dyk is in the public eye and Kiwis appreciate that Dan Vettori is often under scrutiny.
But can you imagine what it
is like to have the hopes and dreams of a billion people on your shoulders? For Indian tennis star Sania Mirza this is reality every time she goes out to play.
"It is not easy sometimes," she admits. "It can be hard to go out with literally a billion expectations every time you step on the court."
"But it motivates me and inspires me to play better and to not let so many people down. If winning a tennis match can bring smiles to so many people then that is great."
Getting to talk to Mirza was a coup in itself. After her semi-final match at the Asian Games there were around 30 Indian television, radio and newspaper journalists wanting to get her views; they told me their would normally be more but the rest of the Indian media was watching their hockey team and shooters at the same time.
There were also a fair few Chinese journalists after a comment but she kindly agreed to speak to the New Zealand Herald, probably because it is a rare request from that part of the world.
The 24-year-old from Mumbai is a sporting megastar in India, sometimes referred to as the female Sachin Tendulkar, though she dislikes the comparison.
She was the first Indian woman to win a WTA tour title and also the first female from that country to break into the top 50. She reached the fourth round at Grand Slam, another unique achievement among her countrywoman. Mirza has been as high as world #27 but has recently slipped out of the top 100, not helped by battles with recurring injuries.
She admits there are "pros and cons" about representing such a huge country.
"It can be a very good thing to be a big star in your own country," she says insightfully. "I feel blessed for what God has given me - the name, the wealth and everything that comes with it."
"But it is hard sometimes. Every move is scrutinised - what you wear, what you do, what you eat, what you don't eat, why you eat...."
Mirza's recent marriage to former Pakistani cricket captain Shoaib Malik has put her profile into hyperspace.
"We are always in the spotlight. When you step out everyone is looking at you. They know what you are doing - they pretend not to notice but they do," she laughs.
There has been a lot of debate about the place of tennis in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and even the Asian Games. Mirza is unequivocal.
"More than 200 countries play the sport. It is one of the most global so it definitely should be included."
Mirza, has visited New Zealand just once, playing in the 2009 ASB Classic. She lost in the second round and can't remember "anything special" about her brief stay in Auckland.
But she would love to return to one of the pockets of the globe where she could find some anonymity.
And perhaps catch up with Richie, Benji, Irene or Dan and help them put their pressure into perspective.
- Herald on Sunday
Tennis: The pressure of one billion expectations
We like to think Richie McCaw has to deal with intense expectations. We look at Benji Marshall and imagine the pressure on his shoulders. We know Irene van Dyk is in the public eye and Kiwis appreciate that Dan Vettori is often under scrutiny.
But can you imagine what it
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