“Was one of the lowest moments, I was shivering”: Sania Mirza on Single Parenting After Divorce

Tennis star Sania Mirza has always been known for her confidence on the court. But recently, she opened up about one of the toughest times in her personal life - going through a divorce and learning to raise her son as a single parent.

In a chat show, Serving It Up with Sania, she spoke honestly about the emotional struggles she faced and how she managed to stay strong for her little boy, Izhaan.

The Lowest Moment Of Her Life

During the conversation, Sania revealed that she once had a panic attack before going on a show. She recalled:

“I don’t want to mention it on camera, but there was a moment… one of the lowest moments of my life. I was shivering. If my friend Farah Khan hadn’t come that day, I don’t think I could have done the show.”

Her close friend, filmmaker Farah Khan, was with her at that moment. Farah said she was shocked to see Sania so fragile because she had never seen her like that before.

Even the strongest people have days when they completely break down. And that’s okay.

Life After Divorce

Sania married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik in 2010, and they became one of the most talked-about sports couples in South Asia. Their son, Izhaan, was born in 2018.
But after years of speculation, they officially divorced in early 2024.

Sania said the separation was painful, but what made it harder was being a single parent in the public eye.

She said,

“When you have a child, you can’t stop being a mother. You have to keep going, even when you are breaking inside.”

Learning To Be A Single Mother

Sania admitted that parenting alone is not easy. She has to manage her career, her home, and her child and all this while dealing with her emotions.

She said that some days she feels confident and strong, and other days she feels completely lost. But keeps going because she knows her son is watching.

“I can’t pretend that my son has a normal family. He doesn’t. If I live in denial, parenting will become even harder,” she said.

Being Honest With Her Son

Sania also revealed that she has already started talking to Izhaan about life, even though he is still young.

She said,

“I’ve told him that the world might expect a lot from him because of who his parents are. But I’ve also told him that it’s okay to lose, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s okay if he doesn’t want to play sports.”

Her goal is to raise him with kindness and emotional strength. She does not want perfection.

The Support System

Sania shared how her family and friends have been her biggest support system. When she was going through the darkest phase, it was her close circle that stood by her, especially Farah Khan.

Today, Sania is focusing on her son, her health and her peace of mind. She has stepped away from professional tennis but continues to inspire millions through her honesty and strength.

She wants to tell the world that life doesn’t end after heartbreak. Sometimes, it’s a new beginning – though a tougher one but more meaningful!