Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal, Hyderabad's History Makers

They have names that are just too easy to mix up with each other, they both play racquet sports, they're both from Hyderabad, and now, they're both ranked No. 1 in the world. Those are just the happy coincidences between the two leading ladies of Indian sports, Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal.

But the journey to No. 1 has been full of sacrifices, challenges, and tears too, albeit very different for the two superstars.

Growing up in the public eye, Sania says she's just had to develop a thick skin. The Hyderabadi Hurricane's length of skirts while playing has been questioned, her patriotism has been doubted, and her personal life has always been out in the open.

"When I won my last point (in the final of the Family Circle Cup), my entire life as a tennis player flashed in front of my eyes," Sania told NDTV after becoming the first Indian woman to become the No. 1 doubles player in the world. "I've been through a lot. But if I weigh the good against the bad, see what all I've achieved in exchange of all the sacrifices I've had to make, I'd say I wouldn't want even one bit of that changed."

Saina's script to the top has been a little different. A child prodigy, who'd ticked off all the boxes quite early in her career, (Junior World Championship title, Super Series titles, Commonwealth titles, Olympic medal), her story took a different turn over the last couple of years.

Her shift to Bengaluru to train under Vimal Kumar, has seen Saina return to being the Saina of the old. "Last August, when I was losing to top players, I felt so low, that I wanted to stop playing badminton," Saina told NDTV after regaining her World No. 1 ranking. "I feel lucky. Not everyone gets the chance to become World No. 1 again. I feel blessed, and I feel great to be playing my best again."

Luck has only a small but significant role to play in Saina and Sania's success stories. Stories that will hopefully inspire many more youngsters, and their parents too. "It's not about both Sania and me being from Hyderabad, we're both from India. And I hope youngsters start believing in themselves, after seeing us," said Saina. "If we've done it, so can others. They just need to work hard, and believe in themselves"

Sania, who is also a UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador said she hopes this will make parents think more seriously of sport as a career option for their children. "Even today there are parents who feel daughters are a burden to them. I hope Saina and my achievement is an eye opener for them," Sania told NDTV.

And for those kids who look up to Saina and Sania as role models, they should know that these two don't spend too much time sitting on their laurels.

While Saina is back in Bengaluru, sweating it out on the courts of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, Sania is captaining India in the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania tie. How's that for dedication and hard work?