In an exclusive interview with JFW, sensational Sania reveals insights into being a new mother and aiming for a 2020 spectacular comeback. Read on to be inspired by a woman who has earned it all, seen it all and is always ready for more with a gorgeous smile!
Photography by G Venket Ram
Hair & Makeup by Tamanna F Rooz, Tamanna Makeup Studio
Styled by Anam Mirza
When Sania walks in, the glow of pregnancy cocoons her, making her look like a mirage of mysticism almost angelic to our eyes. A stark contrast to the fierce warrior we have seen on the field swerving every ball that comes her way, her tennis bat replaced by the locks of her hair she’s playing with now. One cannot help but agree that when a baby is born, a mother is too. And Sania, as a mother is just pure elegance personified. The Ace is on her next role.
“This is the next stage of my life!”
As the infamous rhyme goes, first comes love, and then comes marriage. Then comes a baby in a carriage. For Sania, the plan worked to the T and now that she is entering motherhood, she recollects memories of the last decade from marriage till now. “I feel like marriage hasn’t changed me much. I have grown more patience after it but I am still my own person and Shoaib is who he is which is exactly what I wanted and fell in love with. Motherhood is incredible because of it a new stage in life that my body is going through and am enjoying it. When I broke the news to Shoaib he was just ecstatic! Even family for that case, I am 6 months into the pregnancy and with every month the bond is increasing, and I am showered with love!”
“I love being pregnant”
All it took was one cute post on Instagram to send the country into a flutter. With the introduction of, ‘Baby Mirza-Malik’, Sania Mirza’s pregnancy came to spotlight around January and we ask her what it feels like to be pregnant and she can’t stop gushing. “Actually I love being pregnant because all of a sudden everything I say is deemed right. This doesn’t usually happen this way with my husband. He is actually going out of his way pampering me a lot. At home, my mum, my sister they are all waiting on me and it is a good experience being pregnant.” So what is the sweetest thing Shoaib did during this time we ask? Sania says, “The toughest part of our relationship is the amount of travel from home that we undergo. Ever since I became pregnant Shoaib has been really sweet and cutting down on his travel so much for me and it is very sweet. He has been taking so many flights back and forth literally almost flying back home to me every day at times. Some flights almost take a day to even reach so I think that’s really nice of him to make it a point to be there for me. I do feel guilty that he has been missing some practice sessions. Apart from travel, he recently bought me my favourite pair of shoes which I had eyeing months ago; I just hope my feet haven’t enlarged too much from pregnancy. He also got me this little charm to put on a bracelet and I am really moved because these are not things he usually does and he’s going out of his way to do them for me.”
“I listen to my body.”
I believe the best pregnancy advice I have gotten is from my friend in London. She has 3 kids herself and she told me to just be normal. She also told me to be as active as possible and not to sit and rest if my body is not accustomed to do so. My body just won’t allow me to not be proactive so I do my bit of walking around and exercises and stuff.
“I am on a See-Food diet!”
Pregnancy is basically an all access to buffet pass; the one time women can eat whatever they want and not be judged for it. Sania explains, “I am not craving so much right now but I was craving all kinds of food initially. That joke about being on a ‘See-Food diet’, totally applied to me because I was seeing food everywhere and all I wanted to do was eat. The last couple of months have mellowed down on cravings and I have sort of gone back to my normal diet. I am still high and heavy on ‘Mirchi’, I mean I want everything spicy, everything fried. I think easily the best part about being pregnant is that I don’t have to watch my diet and I can eat anything I want with no restrictions. This feels really good when it comes to food!” If she is planning to get back on the field does she have to be careful with her diet now we ask? Sania says she is aware of her diet changes. “As a tennis player I do realize I have to come back to my usual diet somewhere down the lane after the delivery so I am not overtly careless about my diet. I still do a lot of walking; I walk about 45 minutes that is 4-5 kilometres every day. I go to the park which has been really nice and relaxing. I still go to the gym but I don’t lift weights as such. I do a lot of prenatal yoga which has been really invigorating.”
“I have got a whole new wardrobe!”
With pregnancy come the indulgence and the freedom to do so! Ask her what she is indulging in now and Sania replies, “What am I not indulging in should be the question? Lots of food is what I am indulging in but I have completely lost my sweet tooth which is quite disappointing because I don’t love eating sweets anymore. I suddenly developed a taste for pasta which I never used to like before so that was quite the turn of events. I have been indulging in a new wardrobe as well. Shopping has been quite fun because even though I had to get one size larger I don’t feel bad at all because I am doing a whole new wardrobe. I literally need all new clothes because I don’t fit into anything I used to fit into before and for the last one month I have been majorly shopping every other day.”
“2020, I will be back!”
For Sania it is not technically a comeback as her heart never actually left the court. “I have always been asked what keeps me motivated or inspired and I always say I don’t have that planned, I am just driven. I have the will of wanting to compete for myself, for my country and that is the only comeback motto that there is. There is no other explanation or inspiration I look for. I just want to and have the need to get back out there. I miss it right now, the feeling of victory, the feel of competition, and the emotions you leave out to give it all on the court, and I miss it all! 2020 is still way off and as a woman I feel that pregnancy should not be a deterrent in career, it should basically empower and inspire you. In fact, it should make you want to achieve your goals in life even more. That is what pregnancy is to me so 2020 seems perfect for a comeback year.”