In a much-talked-about celebrity couple split, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza took divorce from cricketer Shoaib Malik following their separation in late 2022, Pakistani media outlet Geo News reported on Saturday.
India’s PTI, too, reported the divorce, saying that their split marks the end of a high-profile union that had generated huge interest among sports lovers from the two countries.
The sources revealed to Geo News that the 37-year-old tennis player was not happy with the former all-rounder meeting other women, adding that she had been ignoring this for some time.
However, Sania took this step after she lost her patience with her spouse. She won six Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles events.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old Shoaib on Saturday announced his third marriage with actor Sana Javed. "Alhamdullilah. And We created you in pairs," the cricketer wrote on his Instagram account.
Soon after the announcement, Sana Javed changed her Instagram bio to "Sana Shoaib Malik".
Malik`s manager, Arsalan Shah, also confirmed the news on X.
"Confirmation: Our beloved superstar @realshoaibmalik has tied the knot (Nikkah) with #SanaJaved. Wishing the new couple an amazing life ahead filled with happiness and joy! #ShoaibMalik"
Shoaib Malik`s family `unhappy`
Sania Mirza`s father Imran Mirza told news agency PTI "it was a `khula" between her and Shoaib Malik, which refers to the right of a Muslim woman to unilaterally divorce her husband.
On the other hand, none of the family members of Shoaib attended the wedding ceremony. The sources added that they were unhappy with him for severing his ties with Sania.
Malik`s brother-in-law, Imran Zafar, said he also came to know about the marriage through social media. He confirmed that Shoaib`s marriage with Sana was not attended by anyone from the former`s family.
Meanwhile, Shoaib will now meet with his son in Dubai.
The sources further claimed that the families of both players had gone to Dubai by the end of 2022 to help resolve the marital issues as Shoaib`s family was not in favour of a divorce.
"Shoaib Malik`s family was very sad after the divorce and had also asked the cricketer to work on his relationship," said the sources, adding that both Shoaib and Sana were reportedly in a relationship for some time.
Sania`s cryptic post
Indian media recently reported Sania`s cryptic post on her Instagram where she discussed marriage and divorce in a motivational text.
“Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard. Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard. Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely,” Mirza’s post read.
Formerly called the power couple, Shoaib and Sania, remained in the headlines for quite a time since 2022 following the reports of their separation.
Shoaib and Sana were rumoured to have been divorced with both keeping mum on the matter to date reportedly due to agreements. None of them publically verified their relationship status amid the speculations.
The internet, however, has since remained curious about the sports pair`s personal life, often prying into their very private affairs.
The couple tied the knot in 2010 and welcomed their son, Izhan Mirza-Malik in 2018.
Despite the fans noticing some distance between the two, the cricketer rubbished the rumours multiple times and even posted messages for Sania on social media in a span of four to five months.
Pak social media backs Sania Mirza
Several social media users from Pakistan have showed immense support for Sania Mirza. Netizens reacted to regarding Shoaib and Sana’s marriage, particularly from Sania Mirza`s supporters.
Several Pakistani social media users have also shared supportive messages for Sania. "Can I say Sania Mirza was always too good for him," one user wrote.
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