Sania Mirza recently spoke about the emotional toll of divorce, loneliness and raising her son. The tennis star, known for her six Grand Slam titles, shared her struggles as a single parent.
In a conversation with filmmaker Karan Johar, the 38-year-old opened up about life after her 2024 divorce from Shoaib Malik. She described how difficult it is to leave her seven-year-old son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, whenever work takes her away. She said that saying goodbye each time is the hardest part.
Sania explained that her cross-border marriage to Shoaib in 2010 brought intense public attention. Their separation added more challenges to co-parenting since Shoaib still lives in Pakistan. Even before Izhaan was born, she faced scrutiny about raising a child across cultures.
She revealed that loneliness affects her deeply. She said she sometimes skips meals because she does not want to eat alone. She also shared that the isolation led to panic attacks after the divorce. She remembered a moment when her friend Farah Khan rushed over in her pajamas to help her through an episode.
These emotional revelations went viral and received widespread support online. Many appreciated her honesty during such a difficult phase. Yet some religious extremists used her vulnerability to make hurtful comments about her marriage and Pakistan.
Sania remains strong and said her focus is on her son’s well-being. She reflected that motherhood is a journey where he raises her as much as she raises him. Her courage has inspired many single parents and women around the world.
