Police arrest tennis star admirer

HYDERABAD, India, July 9 (UPI) -- A 22-year-old man was arrested after allegedly threatening to commit suicide if Indian tennis star Sania Mirza did not marry him, police said.

Police in the southern city of Hyderabad said Mohammed Ashraf, a civil engineer, arrived at Mirza's home with a friend and told the tennis player's father his daughter was "born for me" and hence could not marry anyone else, the BBC reported.

Ashraf, police said, allegedly threatened to kill himself if Mirza's upcoming engagement to a family friend was not canceled, the report said.

The player's father called police who took Ashraf and his friend into custody.

Mirza, 22, is currently ranked 85th in the world.

Her father's police complaint said Ashraf claimed he has loved Mirza ever since he saw her playing tennis in another city. The complaint also said the man has been sending cell phone text messages for some time, BBC said.

Ashraf and his friend have been charged with trespass and creating a nuisance.