Sania Mirza Confirms Divorce with Shoaib Malik in Official Statement

Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza and her team released an official statement on Sunday confirming her divorce with veteran Pakistan cricket star Shoaib Malik. The statement, issued a day after Malik’s marriage to Pakistani actress Sana Javed, urged fans to respect Sania’s privacy during this sensitive time.

The statement read, “Sania has always kept her personal life away from the public eye. She and Shoaib have been divorced for a few months now. She wishes Shoaib well for his new journey ahead. At this sensitive period, we request all fans to refrain from speculation and respect her need for privacy.”

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The news follows Malik’s social media announcement of his marriage to Javed, who subsequently changed her Instagram bio to Sana Shoaib Malik, confirming their union. Rumors about Sania and Malik’s separation had circulated since early 2022, with changes to their social media accounts fueling speculation.

Despite the divorce, the couple maintained a public front, attending their son Izhaan Mirza Malik’s 5th birthday in Dubai last year. Malik had praised Sania’s achievements in a heartfelt note after her final Grand Slam match in the 2023 Australian Open. The duo even hosted a talk show in the UAE, featuring various guests.

The family source clarified on Saturday that it was a ‘khula,’ referring to the right of a Muslim woman to unilaterally divorce her husband. The couple had deleted photos on Instagram and unfollowed each other, sparking ongoing social media discussions.

The official statement emphasizes Sania Mirza’s desire for privacy and calls for understanding during this challenging time for the tennis icon.