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Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza
The Magical Duo
 She is a tennis icon from India and he is cricketer from Pakistan – the combination could not have been better! Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik created waves all over the world last year when they announced their wedding. Despite their successes in the world of tennis and cricket, she is still the simple hardworking girl and he is still the seedha saadha Sialkotia munda! In this candid interview with Mag4you.com, the couple talked about many things, their childhood, their marriage, and their interest in their respective sports. Excerpts:
What was the reaction of your parents when you told them about your decision of marrying a Pakistani guy?
Sania: As I am very close to my mother so I told her first about Shoaib. She was very happy about it.
Shoaib: My mom was also happy but she showed her concerns about my new relationship and the political tensions present between India and Pakistan.
There were a lot of controversies before your marriage, how did you support each other in such difficult times?
Shoaib: She supported me a lot. She knew the truth and she didn't give much importance to such useless news.
Sania: More than me it was my parents who stood for him just as they would have stood for me during a difficult time.
How did you begin your career in cricket?
Shoaib: Actually, I was never interested in cricket. I just used to play with a tennis ball and loved flying kites. My father wanted me to become a cricketer; he even forced me to appear in Under-15 selection trials. In fact he used to bribe me that if I played well, he would give me lots of kites. I appeared in those cricket trials and finally got selected and that's how it all began.
 What about your interest in tennis? How did it all begin and did your parents support your decision?
Sania: Cricket is in my blood and many renowned cricketers have belonged to my family. My parents always wanted me to be associated with this sport but fate had different plans for me. I was barely six years old when I first held a tennis racquet in my hand. At that time my coach had clearly told my parents that I was very young and he could not teach me the basics of tennis. But my mother forced him to let me play the game. After only a week, the same coach called my parents and told them that I really had the potential for the game. Since then I continued playing tennis and eventually got myself recognised at several local and international tournaments.
Did you ever imagine that a small kid who used to fly kites in his locality would become the captain of Pakistan's national cricket team?
Shoaib: No, I had never imagined it. In fact I got the news about my selection surprisingly in a good way. I was in Karachi playing a semi-final match against a private bank. For the final match I had to reach Lahore but I requested my captain that I wanted to go home first before joining them for the final in Lahore. At that time cellphone facility wasn't easily available. When I reached my home in Sialkot, my father hugged me and gave me the good news about my selection in national team. I was very excited, I could not believe that I had gotten selected at such a young age. I was also a huge Wasim Akram fan and I was lucky to have him as the captain at that time. I think I've been very fortunate that I got a chance to play with veteran cricketers like Wasim bhai, Saqlain bhai and Waqar bhai.
Tell us about the interesting story when you tried to call your father after your debut match in Sharjah.
Shoaib: (Smiles) At that time I didn't know how to make an international call. With the help of my friends I somehow managed to get a calling card and called my father from a local telephone booth.
You are the first Indian tennis player to have won a Grand Slam title. Being a female sportsperson what problems have you faced in your career?
Sania: As a female athlete, I faced many problems. I began my career from the small city of Hyderabad. In the subcontinent, people don't encourage female athletes much. When I began my career, people used to laugh at me. Although they later realised that they were wrong and apologised for their behaviour. But truly speaking, it was really discouraging to hear negative comments from everywhere. With my hard work I proved them wrong and earned a good name for my country.
What goals have you accomplished up till now?
Shoaib: I have set certain goals for myself and only half of them have been fulfilled up till now. I have played 33 test matches so far, and I want to play more test cricket. In one dayers, although my performance has been good, I have to improve further. I want to score at least ten thousands runs in ODIs.
You are the only female player from India who has been so successful. How do you feel about your success and how difficult is it for you to maintain it?
Sania: When it comes to sports, it is easy to achieve a certain position but maintaining it is the most difficult task. I have been playing Grand Slam regularly since 2005. For Asians, it is really difficult to participate in strenuous physical activity for such a long time. Our body type and structure does not allow us so I have to put in extra effort to maintain that same level of fitness. In doing so, I sometimes strain my body so much that it leads to injuries. It is really difficult to maintain the same level of fitness, and I have been maintaining it for seven years now.
 When you won your first Grand Slam title, the Australian Open in 2009, what kind of response did you receive from your family?
Sania: Unfortunately in 2008, I lost a Grand Slam championship. In 2009, when I got the chance to play again in a grand title I was very excited. I played with full devotion and hard work and won the title. All my team members along with my parents cheered me for winning it. I could not express my feeling in words. My family had made sacrifices for sixteen years and winning that title finally paid off.
Do you think being internationally known sports persons, it is easy to have a married life?
Sania: Well, obviously advantages are more than disadvantages. Being sports persons, we understand each others' problems. It is easier to manage a spouse's mood swings in case of any failure in the game.
Did tennis interest you before your marriage?
Shoaib: When I met her, I used to like the game but because of my busy schedule I hardly got a chance to watch matches frequently. But after marriage of course, my interest has increased and I watch all of her matches.
How much do you motivate and encourage each other?
Shoaib: Sania encourages me a lot; in the first class season, I scored 800 runs in just seven matches. I was in good form and could have contributed for my team in the World Cup. But unfortunately I wasn't given the chance; I was disappointed and went through a bad patch. But she supported me a lot at that time, she told me not to lose hope.
Since Shoaib has learnt to play tennis, do you have any intentions of learning cricket?
Sania: I have always liked cricket, as I told you before, cricket run in my blood, so I have an obvious liking for this game.
If cricket and tennis are both being aired on different channels, what would you prefer to watch?
Sania: Well it depends on the game and who is playing it. By the way we keep switching channels while watching television.
Do you agree that your marriage can play any role in reducing the tensions between two rival states?
Sania: Our marriage is just like union of any other two persons. It has nothing to do with the political tensions present between our countries.
Recently you two got a chance to meet the President of Pakistan. What was the topic of discussion in your meeting?
Shoaib: We talked about the floods and how we could raise funds for flood victims. We will also try to create awareness so that right measures can be taken in such disastrous situations.
Do you have any plans in mind related to tennis which can be helpful for the flood victims?
Sania: I have not thought about it yet. Actually I have an injury because of which I cannot play for six to eight weeks.
 Would you like to give any message to aspiring cricketers especially with regard to domestic cricket?
Shoaib: Cricket has changed a lot in past few years. It is not about only talent now. To prove oneself, one has to put extra effort and hard work.
When it comes to romance, who usually takes a lead?
Sania: (Laughs) He is more romantic than me. He always does a few little things that shows how caring and loving he is. We always prefer to eat together and spend quality time with each other.
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