World No 1 doubles players grit and success on and off the court makes her the ideal Indian woman sporting icon. A new book offers fascinating insight into the gutsy Hyderabadi’s exploits against the odds
India's tennis queen Sania Mirza with husband and Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik on the sets of a television show in Mumbai on April 14, 2012. They got married in 2010. PIC/AFP
Q. In 2010, there was a time when you wanted to retire. How did you get out of that phase?
A. I was badly hurt. I couldn’t pick up my phone, or comb my hair. I had slipped into depression and wasn’t speaking to anyone. In a few months’ time I snapped out of it, and accepted the fact that tennis wasn’t going to a part of me anymore. After five-six months, my wrist started feeling better with rehab. I began to use it, and started hitting a few tennis balls for fun. I built on this, my mental strength improved, and before I knew it, I had won medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. The phase brought me back to life.
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India’s tennis queen Sania Mirza with husband and Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik on the sets of a television show in Mumbai on April 14, 2012. They got married in 2010. PIC/AFP
Q. Off court, controversy trails you often. Do your fighting instincts and exploits on court help you trump it each time?
A. I’d say it’s the other way around. I have a fighting spirit. I have a very high threshold of pain, be it at a physical or mental level. In sport, you win or lose, and get over it. This has helped me off the field and made me stronger.
Q. Recently, social media hailed your reply to the question by a TV journalist about “settling down”. Do you face such questions all the time – and across the globe?
A. I face it everywhere, not just in India. I’ve known Rajdeep (Sardesai) for years. I wasn’t angry at his question. All credit to him to apologise on national TV. I don’t need a child to validate that I have settled down. I’m pretty sure that girls in the early, mid and late 20s are being asked this all the time. Kids are not the be all and end all of this idea. Yet, I must add that I would love to start a family but that choice is mine. The point did go across. I received loads of mail from women thanking me for speaking on their behalf. They felt better, and that even a Sania Mirza could be questioned on this. However, the one question I find too private is – ‘It’s been six years since you are married; how come you haven’t had a kid?’ Aren’t we allowed to take that call?
Q. Sport lays a lot of emphasis on appearances. What’s your take?
A. Who doesn’t like to look nice? I am not just a tennis player, but also a celebrity. In this age, where social media is everywhere, you’re supposed to look great even in an airport. It comes with the territory. Having said that, I am fond of fashion and follow it off court. On court, I feel I look my worst!
Q. Since you were 16, you’ve been associated with causes for the Indian girl child. How do you juggle it?
A. When you support a cause that’s close to your heart, it doesn’t feel like work. In fact, the title of my book (Ace Against Odds) is testimony to this; aren’t we (women) fighting it all the time? Our lives are a bit more difficult. Be it a tennis player or you, as a journalist. Questions are always asked about our choices if they don’t fit a stereotype. I want to fight this. Even if a small group of people engage in a conversation about it after reading this interview, I feel I’ve done a bit to help push towards equality.
Q. Shoaib’s (Malik) and your schedules are extremely demanding. How do you make it work?
A. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Both of us are emotionally charged professions. We try to not bring work home. Our phone companies have benefitted from all of this (chuckles).
Q. What’s the mood like before Rio 2016?
A. It’s been upbeat. It will be my third Olympics. Unlike other sports, with tennis one is always preparing. So, I’ll be in Canada, then head to Rio and afterwards, in Cincinnati. Winning an Olympic medal would be big. We’ll do our best.
Q. After you’ve peaked at No.1 in a sport, how do you stay motivated? What’s your mantra?
A. For me, it was a lifelong goal to reach No. 1. My other goal would be to stay there, and finish my career at No. 1. It is tougher to do that when you’re at the top. The journey has been amazing so far and I hope to continue being focused and win many more Grand Slams and honours for India.
Ace Against Odds, Sania Mirza with Imran Mirza and Shivani Gupta. HarperCollins India
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