"I will pray that a tennis player should emerge from Ranchi as M S Dhoni emerged for cricket," said Sania, who inaugurated a tennis academy here today.
"I have heard a lot about Ranchi and I had a wish to see the town, and I grabbed the opportunity when I was invited for the inauguration of this tennis academy," she added.
Sania also hoped that the academy, which will start with 50 budding talents, would throw up good tennis players in the days to come.
"I am looking forward to come back to Ranchi to play (tennis tournaments)," Sania said.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda assured that the government would support budding talents to promote the game in the state.
"We will encourage all sports, including tennis," Munda said.