Dubai: The list of sporting celebrities who have settled in Dubai is set to grow soon with the most talked about pair from the sub-continent, Shoaib Malek and Sania Mirza, in town for some serious house-hunting.
“Well I have always said that I like Dubai, it’s like a home away from home for me. Right now we are looking at some houses before both of us leave for England for our respective assignments,” the Indian tennis star said yesterday.
Having tided over all the chaos surrounding their marriage over the last month-and-a-half, the newlywed couple moved into the city quietly a few days ago.
In pictures: Sania and Shoaib wed in style
In pictures: Sania and Shoaib: A love match
Speaking exclusively to Gulf News after hitting under a merciless sun over an hour and a half, Mirza explained the decision to settle in Dubai was more for the convenience of both rather than just trying to get away from the media glare.
“If you had asked me five years ago if I wanted to settle in Dubai, then I wouldn’t have given it a thought. But life takes its turns and we have come up with a decision that’s going to benefit both of us,” she said.
“There are so many Indian and Pakistan expats here that you don’t feel you are staying from home. This apart, it will be much easier for me to travel on the Tour with so many direct flights from here than from Hyderabad,” she said.
Neutral series
“Pakistan plays a lot of neutral series here and he [Shoaib] also likes this place a lot. Hence, it was only a natural decision to move base here,” she said.
The last time Mirza stepped onto the courts for a competitive match was during the Dubai Championships in February, before a recurring wrist injury effectively sidelined her.
It’s been 12 days that she has begun hitting again and she notes with great optimism that the wrist is not hurting.
“I still have about 20 days before I play my first tournament in Birmingham and then of course, Wimbledon,” she announced.
As she gears up for what Malek could call the ‘second innings’ of her career, what are the goals during the year?
“It’s not really a second innings — marriage has to happen, You will be surprised to know how many mothers play tennis and most people don’t even know about it,” she said.
“As for this year, I pray that I can stay fit for Commonwealth Games [in October] and then of course, the Asian Games. It will be my third Asian Games, and everytime I have played there I have won a medal. I hope to do an encore.”
While she looked to be getting into the groove while hitting with Zeeshan Ali, a former UAE coach and Indian Davis-cupper, the frequent bout of injuries seems to have left a psychological scar on her — so much so that she keeps reiterating on staying fit as her main priority.
Asked if she would pick her tournaments to ensure the longevity of her career, Mirza agreed.
“I am already doing it. At a lot of places where I am playing the singles, I am not playing the doubles and vice versa. I will have to take care of the wrist, which is more about injury management rather than anything else.”
Family sport: great switch-over
Has marriage to Shoaib Malek made her a “convert” to cricket?
“See, I have always loved cricket. Now that my husband is a cricketer, it’s natural that I will be following more if it,” Sania Mirza said during the interview. “We are generally game for any sport...why only last night, we were playing carrom,” she said, breakin into a giggle.
And how has Malek, who was seen knocking around casually on a sidecourt with an acquaintance, taken to her sport?
“Oh, he often does his cardio on the courts. However, as a sportsperson he can handle things well. He seems to be having a good forehand,” she said.
