Strong and muscular is sexy, very skinny is not attractive: Sania Mirza

New Delhi: The new year is just four months in, but Sania Mirza has already had a dream run.

The Indian tennis ace was on Thursday named by Time magazine in its list of the '100 Most Influential People in the World'. 

This honor come after the 29-year-old received the Padma Bhushan from President Pranab Mukherjee earlier in the month.

In January, Sania and Martina Hingis won the Australian Open and the duo is now gunning for a second Gran Slam win of the year at the French Open.

Playing tennis on clay at the highest level requires athletes to train hard and maintain superb fitness levels.

In order to claim the crown at Roland Garros, the Hyderabad girl has been sweating it out in the gym of late.

In a chat with the Times of India, the tennis star explained what works and what doesn't for her on the fitness front.

"I have the kind of body that no matter how much weights I lift, I don't look muscular - not that I have a problem with anyone looking muscular. I don't bulk up, I don't have that body shape or type, which is not a good or bad thing, it is what it is. Tennis is my first priority. If I don't have tennis, I don't have anything else. I don't think anyone wants to photograph me if I'm not playing well," she said.

"Tennis requires me to have a certain level of fitness and strength, and I'll do everything I can to get there. Strong is sexy. I don't think very skinny is attractive. I think healthy, strong and muscular is extremely attractive," Sania further added.