Wednesday, February 16 2005 19:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Teen tennis sensation Sania Mirza has been provided police protection after her parents complained of disturbances by autograph seekers.

Mirza's residence at the posh Banjara Hills area now has a police security net with couple of Task Force personnel posted there.

"There was some problem last night. The autograph hunters are after her constantly. She needs some rest too," Sania's father Imran Mirza told reporters in Hyderabad today (Feb 16, 2005).

The security officials were posted after Sania's parents had approached the city Police Commissioner and requested protection from autograph hunters.

Sania, the first Indian to reach the third round of a Grand Slam and win a WTA title, has opted out of the Qatar Open scheduled for February 21 due to injury.

The 18-year-old, who took painkillers for the ankle injury during the Hyderabad Open, has been adviced medical rest.