The News Freedom
Chandigarh, January 20
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has divorced cricketer Shoaib Malik following their separation in late 2022. Sania Mirza officially on January 21 said that she and Shoaib Malik have parted ways several months ago. The statement, issued by Sania and her team, comes just a day after Malik tied the knot with renowned Pakistani actress Sana Javed. The release urged for “privacy” and appealed to fans on social media to refrain from engaging in speculations.
According to media reports, the 37-year-old tennis player reportedly took this step due to her dissatisfaction with Malik’s interactions with other women, a matter she had been overlooking for some time. Mirza’s father, Imran Mirza, on January 20 confirmed the divorce, stating that it occurred through the process of “khula,” referring to the right of a Muslim woman to unilaterally divorce her husband under Sharia law.
Malik, 41, announced his third marriage to actor Sana Javed on January 20.
Media reported Sania’s cryptic Instagram post two days ago, discussing the challenges of marriage and divorce in a motivational context. The post emphasized the difficulty of life choices and the importance of choosing wisely.
Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik, who were married in April 2010, lived in Dubai, and have a son named Izaan. Izaan currently resides with Sania. The couple’s marital issues led to family interventions in Dubai at the end of 2022. Despite efforts to reconcile, Shoaib’s family was reportedly unhappy with the divorce.
Sania Mirza, an iconic figure in Indian tennis, retired last year after a remarkable 20-year career. She won 43 WTA doubles titles and one singles trophy, contributing significantly to women’s sports.
According to media reports, Shoaib Malik’s recent marriage to Sana Javed was not attended by any of his family members, with sources revealing their dissatisfaction over his severed ties with Sania. Shoaib is expected to meet his son in Dubai.