India's tennis player, Sania Mirza is to be married to Shoaib Malik, the former cricket captain of Pakistan. A formal wedding reception has been scheduled within a month. There will be no engagement function.
This news was confirmed by Imran Mirza, father of Sania, late on Monday night.
“The couple will be based in Dubai, where Shoaib is a resident, and Sania will continue to play tennis once she recovers fully from the wrist injury that has marred her career in the recent past,” Imran said.
The former top-30 women's tennis player is planning a comeback just before Wimbledon.
“My wedding is, inshallah, going to be the biggest day of my life. I have been under constant glare of the public for too long and would appreciate more privacy at this very personal moment in my life,” Sania said.
“I hope to be fully fit to represent India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games that are scheduled for later this year,” she added.
According to sources Shoaib was fully supportive of Sania's tennis career. “I fully understand what it takes to be an international sportsperson and I will support Sania in her career as long as she wishes to play,” Shoaib said.
“Representing India, at the 2012 Olympics is very important for her and I will be the proudest husband if she can win a medal for her country,” he said.
Imran Mirza, who has coached Sania throughout her career, said: “This is a unique case where the husband and wife will represent their respective countries in sport.”
