From Sohrab Mirza to Shoaib Malik: The Public Romantic Journey of Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza, the trailblazing Indian tennis icon, has navigated a career filled with Grand Slam victories and public adoration, often finding her personal life, particularly her romantic journey, under intense media scrutiny. From early alleged romances to a high-profile cross-border marriage, her relationships have been a significant part of her public narrative.

In her early years, before her rise to global tennis fame, Sania Mirza was linked to a few personalities. Reports suggest an encounter with Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor between February and August 2008. While Shahid Kapoor reportedly admitted to going on dates, Sania consistently maintained that he was just a "good friend," a common phrase she used for many alleged links.

Further speculation arose around her professional partnership with fellow Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi. After their successful mixed doubles win at the 2009 Australian Open, rumors of a romantic involvement surfaced. However, their relationship was primarily a professional one, with Bhupathi often credited as her mentor, and no confirmed romance ever materialized.

Sania Mirza's first publicly acknowledged relationship was her engagement to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza. The engagement, announced in July 2009, was a significant event, but it was called off just six months later, in January 2010. The reason cited was "incompatibility," with Sohrab later stating, "Differences between us cropped up right from the word go. After the engagement, we realised we were completely incompatible." Rumors also suggested disagreements over her continuing tennis career.

Shortly after the end of her engagement, Sania Mirza announced her intention to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, a decision that garnered immense media attention due to its cross-border nature. Their union was not without controversy, as a woman named Ayesha Siddiqui claimed to have been married to Shoaib Malik since 2002. Shoaib initially denied these allegations, but eventually divorced Siddiqui just days before his wedding to Sania.

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik tied the knot on April 12, 2010, in a traditional Hyderabadi Muslim ceremony at the Taj Krishna Hotel in Hyderabad, India. Their marriage captured headlines globally, symbolizing a unique bond between two prominent sports personalities from rival nations. The couple's journey was closely followed by fans and media alike.

Eight years into their marriage, Sania and Shoaib welcomed their son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, in October 2018. The birth of their child brought joy to the couple and their families, further solidifying their public image as a united family. They often shared glimpses of their family life on social media, maintaining a strong public presence.

Despite their seemingly strong bond, rumors of marital discord began circulating in late 2022, intensifying when Shoaib Malik removed Sania's name from his social media bio. The speculation culminated in January 2024 when Shoaib Malik announced his marriage to Pakistani actress Sana Javed. Following this, Sania Mirza's family confirmed that she and Shoaib had been divorced for several months prior, stating it was a 'khula' (a Muslim woman's right to unilaterally divorce her husband).

In the aftermath of her divorce, Sania Mirza has maintained a dignified silence on the specifics, focusing on her son and career. Recently, she appeared on a television show and humorously commented on her current relationship status, stating, "Abhi mujhe pehle love interest dhoondna hai" (I have to find a love interest first), indicating she is currently single.

Recent rumors linking Sania Mirza to Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, which circulated in January 2024, were swiftly debunked. Both Mohammed Shami and Sania Mirza's father publicly clarified that these claims were entirely false and based on fabricated AI-generated images, emphasizing that the two had never even met. Sania continues to be a prominent figure in sports, now also serving as a mentor for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's team, embracing her new chapter with grace and focus.