One is a cricketer and the other is a tennis star.
Obviously, we’re talking about batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and tennis sensation Sania Mirza. Getting to meet two of the leading sports personalities on the same platform is every person's dream. But the 45-minute interaction with the two stars was not exactly a dream for the media. For, cricket was a taboo topic. The two had come together during a promotional event organised by Sunfeast, the sponsors of the $175,000 WTA Tour event here on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, the two spoke on a variety of topics, ranging from injuries and pressures, and of course, football. Isn't this football country!
Excerpts:
Sania on cricket: I grew up in India and it is very hard not to watch cricket. Yeah, I love cricket. He (Sachin) has always been my hero. The way he handles pressure, that is something I've learnt to deal with now and he has been doing it for years. I really admire him for the way he handles all the expectations.
Sachin on tennis: I was too young when Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan were playing, but I followed Mahesh and Leander. After that, with Sania being around, it has taken my following of tennis to a different level altogether. I love tennis and tennis is one sport I really love watching. It's wonderful, terrific to have players coming from India and keeping the tri-colour flying high.
On injuries
Sachin: When you are going to push yourself 100 percent every single time, there are going to be injuries. It is all about how you overcome them and how quickly you can get back into action. It is all about how you manage them. It has become a part and parcel of every sportsperson around. But it doesn't mean that it's the end of your career. You will come back as long as there is a will and determination. It will make you a stronger person. It is tough, but to overcome these obstacles, you need to be mentally tough. You just need to have the determination, and family support.
Sania: Like Sachin said, you are pushing the limit every single day and at some point something is going to give in. Especially, six months ago, when I did my knee, I was out for three months and I was very depressed for the first few weeks. I didn't go out … and did nothing. Last night, I felt the same thing when I pulled out from here. I would rather not sit out three months again, I would rather sit out for a couple of weeks and come back and be healthy again for the rest of the season. There will be a lot of expectations, but you will have to listen to your body more than your emotions. That is the most important thing.
On tennis favourites
Sachin: Rather than comparing them (Pete Sampras and Roger Federer), make them play against each other! And watch both them. Both are terrific players. I respect both. Today, it is obviously Federer.
Sania: I'm biased. I like Federer. He is a perfectionist and it is very hard to be a perfectionist.
Secondary options 
Sachin: As a child, I was a huge John McEnroe fan. I used to walk around with a headband and stuff, hoping that people would call me McEnroe. Yes, it would have definitely been tennis.
Sania: I used to swim before tennis. Unfortunately or fortunately I was not a guy otherwise I would have been playing cricket. Yeah, it would have been swimming.
On football
Sachin: I'm not good at football. I used to play football as a child and a bit with the Indian team. But after a couple of injuries we've stopped it. Yes, if given an opportunity, I would start playing. But I'm not a huge follower of football.
Sania: I used to actually warm-up playing football before getting on the tennis court. I'm just horrible at it. I guess you can't be good at everything.
On handling pressure
Sania: I think you have to be mentally ready to take a lot of criticism and have to be ready to take a lot of praise as well. You have to kind of block all that away, focus on the game and do the right things and try flying the tri-colour high.
Sachin: Pressure is always going to be a permanent companion for sportsmen.
You have to try and keep things as simple as possible. You have to be mentally strong enough to take the ups and downs. It happens to everybody and I'm no exception.