Love across borders: The untold saga of Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik love story

Speaking to India Today, Sania Mirza revealed that the two met in Hobart for the first time but it was Shoaib who had planned the meeting all along. In her autobiography, Ace Against Odds, Sania mentioned that Shoaib came into her life when she was going through a bad phase professionally.

Sania and Shoaib tied the knot after five months of courtship which is why many called their decision impulsive and rash. Their marriage attracted immense hype and was also mired in obvious controversies. To that, Sania said, "People can date a person for years but break up as soon as they get married. Some people can date each other for a month and get married. We were lucky we found each other, decided quickly and felt the same way about one another."

From questioning patriotism to probing changing nationalities, the two athletes faced extreme criticism from the media. On one hand, Sania was spitefully questioned if she would change her nationality and start playing for Pakistan; Shoaib was welcomed with open arms by his country who perceived Sania as the remains of the war. Sania requested the media for some restraint. 

Shoaib told a media portal, "Two people from different countries got married and it should only be treated as a marriage nothing more."

The wedding ceremonies commenced with a Mehendi ceremony at Sania's home in Hyderabad. On April 12, 2010, the couple finally said "Qubool Hai" in Hyderabad where Sania wore her mother's red saree that she wore at her own wedding, and Shoaib donned a black sherwani by designer duo, Shantanu & Nikhil. The Sialkot reception was followed by the Walima reception that was hosted at Hotel Pearl Continental in Lahore, Pakistan. 

Sania Mirza gave birth to a baby boy on October 30. Shoaib Malik made the announcement on Thursday in their social media pages. “Excited to announce: It’s a boy, and my girl is doing great and keeping strong as usual #Alhumdulilah. Thank you for the wishes and Duas, we are humbled. #BabyMirzaMalik,” said Malik in his tweet.

The couple named their son Izhaan Mirza-Malik.

Mirza had taken a break from tennis after undergoing surgery in 2017. She later extended the break and announced with her husband and former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik that they were expecting a baby.

Sania Mirza in 2020 said that she had left the family reunion with the former Pakistan cricket team skipper to fate. While Sania was in Hyderabad with son Izhaan and her parents, Shoaib was in Sialkot with his mother.  “It’s really not been easy staying away from my husband and for Izhaan to stay away from his father. I’m really looking forward to being back as a family again and being at the same place. We’ve left it to fate,” Sania told The Indian Express via Facebook Live. She also said it’s tough for her one-year-old son without his father around. “Shoaib got stuck in Pakistan; I got stuck here. That’s very difficult to deal with because we have a small child. We don’t know when Izhaan will be able to see his father again. It’s as basic as that,” Mirza added.

(All photos taken from social media)