Two of India's top racquet-sport athletes, Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal, have long been icons of excellence in their sports, inspiring millions with their achievements. Sania and Saina's similarities go beyond the letters of their names, which have often been the cause of confusion among fans and a printer's devil for editors. Now, years after their retirement as active players on the court, life has put them on similar personal journeys.
Saina has announced her separation from her husband, Parupalli Kashyap. In a post on Instagram, the London Olympics 2012 bronze medallist wrote: "Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing - for ourselves and each other," Saina wrote in her statement. "I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time," she added.
Sania Mirza and her cricketer husband Shoaib Malik announced their separation in 2024, though it was revealed that the couple had been living apart from each other for a few months before. Malik has since gone on to marry Pakistani actress Sana Javed, while Sania has decided to remain single.
The two women from Hyderabad haven't just elevated Indian sports with their grace on the global stage, but they have also handled their personal challenges with dignity.
Sania and Saina: Not Just Two Similar Names
Sania Mirza, a former world No. 1 in doubles tennis, and Saina Nehwal, an Olympic bronze medallist in badminton, shone bright in their games regardless of their personal battles. With six Grand Slam titles to her name, Sania became a household name in tennis, while Nehwal is the first Indian woman to reach the world No. 1 ranking in badminton. Though their names are often mistakenly interchanged in casual conversation, their achievements in racquet sports give them two distinct identities, but on the same pedestal.
Personal Challenges
Sania married ex-Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik in 2010. The marriage of two sporting stars played out in public scrutiny for years, and not just because of their relationship across borders. After years of speculation, the two decided to go their separate ways in 2024, vowing to co-parent their son, Izhaan, with maturity and privacy.
Saina and her husband announced their separation after nearly seven years of marriage. In the Instagram post, Nehwal shared that the decision was mutual, emphasizing "peace, growth, and healing" for both.
Legacy Beyond The Court
Both Sania and Saina's trailblazing careers have opened doors for women in racquet sports. Looking at Sania, many aspiring female tennis players started to dream of lifting grand slam titles, while Saina's Olympic medal and world rankings remain inspiring for every little girl who started playing badminton in her backyard. The two sportswomen have shown that their mental strength wasn't limited to sporting courts.