‘WE DIDN’T TRY TO MAKE A STATEMENT BY GETTING MARRIED’

Shoaib,do you agree or was there lots of running around?
Shoaib: No. Sportsmen always have to be on their toes. Finally,we are married and we are very happy. That’s what we have always wanted.

Tell me something. Where did you first meet? Tell us the full story.
Shoaib: We met in Delhi in 2004-05. We met for two minutes. We were on a tour.
Sania: Someone just introduced us. We were staying in the same hotel. I was playing the Fed Cup at that time and they were playing against India. I met him on the way to the hotel gym.
Shoaib: We met again in Mohali. In 2006 or 2007.
Sania: Yes. I think that was the last one-day India was playing against Pakistan. I remember Sachin got out for 99 in that match,and Shahid Afridi came in the end and suddenly made all those runs. He (Shoaib) claims that he smiled but I don’t think he did. But no one can win that debate now.

And then what happened?
Sania: He was touring Australia with the Pakistan cricket team. He came to watch me play at Hobart (Hobart International tennis tournament). I think we were playing a doubles match at night. Hobart is always in the first or second week of the year. He came with a couple of more cricketers. Waqar Younis was there. After the match,we went for dinner. All of us,my dad,him (Shoaib),my trainer. I found him to very charming …
Shoaib: Really? Then we met again in Dubai but right after the Australian tour,I had told my family about Sania and asked them to talk to her family. That’s how it happened.

Who popped the question?
Sania: He didn’t make any special proposal over dinner or go down on his knees. We started talking. We were both very clear. We didn’t want to have any relationship because of the distance and lot of other factors.

You didn’t want a long courtship.
Sania: Yes. And also a lot of other factors would have made it very difficult to have a long courtship. We are well known in our countries so it would have been very difficult to keep it under wraps. And then all kinds of stories start. Something as personal as a relationship or marriage,it’s for you and your family until it happens. I didn’t want to read about it in the newspapers every morning—that they were having dinner,they were holding hands. I mean it’s just not nice when we are all from respectable families. We just started talking about it. I think that’s the most important thing about our relationship. We both were very honest and our thoughts about our marriage,the future,matched. We agreed on 90-95 per cent of things.

You have faced a lot of controversies in the past few days. What did you learn from that?
Sania: We learnt a lot of things. We learnt that we have to stick by each other and we will stick by each other. We were not even husband and wife then,today we are. I think it was a great test for our relationship,our families. They supported us wholeheartedly. I think I couldn’t have done without their support. Secondly,I knew what was going on,I knew it from the beginning and we were always honest to each other. Any other couple in such a situation would have had at least one fight. In the last 10-12 days,we didn’t get into any fight,we didn’t get irritated with each other because I think we were honest and honesty is the most important thing. Our relationship got a lot,lot stronger.

What did you (Shoaib) learn? The last ten days were testing times. Bouncers and bouncers.
Shoaib: Yes,they were bouncers but finally before our marriage,we have won the World Cup. It happened but it will help us in our coming life. The best thing was that when all this was happening,not once did we say,‘Why is this happening?’

And never did you lose faith in each other.
Shoaib: Yes. I had told her in the beginning about whatever had happened. We started this relationship after clearing all things. Now we trust each other.

You both are planning to return to the playing field.
Sania: Yes,that’s definitely the plan. Now we are married,one thing is over. But we have to go to Pakistan and finish the reception or receptions and after we get back. Of course,we needed,so to say,get the marriage out of the way because right now he is also free and I’m also nursing an injury. You know we are both very practical and being sportspersons,we know our schedules.

Which circuit is busier,cricket or tennis? Sania’s or your’s?
Shoaib: Till now it’s hers. Anyways I have a year with me. I have appealed against my ban. We have one more function left which is happening in Pakistan. Whatever the cricket board there decides…

They should lift the ban as a wedding gift.
Sania: Why don’t you appeal?

I’m making an appeal. But Shoaib,why this ban?
Shoaib: I don’t know what happened but I’ll find out when we go back.

Controversies keep cropping up in Pakistani cricket
Shoaib: I think it keeps happening in India and Pakistan.

There have been fewer controversies in India in the last 5-7 years.
Shoaib: Because they are doing well.

That’s right. Once you are doing well,there are no controversies. But I tell you,the best way for Pakistan to start doing well in cricket is to play against India. You play world-class when you play against India.
Shoaib: In an India-Pakistan match,the two teams are of the same level. The one who handles the pressure well wins. So,definitely there should be a series between the two countries but after my ban ends.

Now,your marriage itself is something that will start this process. If people can fall in love and get married across the border,why can’t we play cricket or tennis? You (Sania) played tennis in Pakistan.
Sania: Yes,I have been to Pakistan a few times. But you know,we should make it very clear that we are getting married and it’s about two individuals. We liked each other so we got married to each other and our families are united. In the process,if something positive happens between India and Pakistan,it’s most welcome. But we didn’t try to make a statement by getting married,we didn’t see which nationality we were from or whether he played for Pakistan or I played from India.

And you continue to play for your respective countries.
Sania: Of course. I play for India and he’s going to play for Pakistan .

But you (Shoaib) have an advantage. When Sania will play,most of the time it will be as an individual,not India,apart from team events. And a Pakistani girl playing against Sania would be rare,so you can cheer her without any doubt.
Sania: Right! Because I will be cheering for India.
Shoaib: Anyways she is my wife and she has all of my support. I think it’s a game and it should not be made controversial. We both are sportspersons.

Her game (tennis) is a totally globalised sport. You get to see tennis players change passports,change place of residence and wealthy ones come to live in tax havens.
Sania: Yes. Many girls who are from Russia are playing for Kazakhstan. It happens a lot. But it’s not our plan. I am going to continue playing for India. I’m as much Indian as before I got married and I’m as much Indian as I’m going to be tomorrow. I’m Indian by heart. He’s going to play for Pakistan and that’s about it. It’s not that Pakistan and India are very happy that we got married.

Both are happy I think.
Sania: That’s well and good. People in Pakistan are talking that we have got Sania as a trophy. It’s not that,we have just married each other.

We have also got a trophy (Shoaib). Both of you are kind of a shared trophy.
Sania: We are just two people who wanted to get married to each other and we are happy.

When do you start training now?
Sania: He can start training whenever his ban comes off. I’m going to start in about two weeks when I come back from Pakistan.

When do we see you back on the court?
Sania: It could be anytime after April 30. My wrists do feel a lot better. I have not hit a ball in the past seven weeks. It has recovered really well. It was a major injury and had something to do with the ligament.

Will you be playing in IPL 4?
Shoaib: Whatever the BCCI or Pakistan Cricket Board decides,we’ll do.

You must be happy that Delhi Daredevils is doing well this year. Do you still treat them as your team?
Shoaib: Yes. I had a three-year contract with them and this is the last year and I have to support them.

Who are the closest friends you made while playing for Delhi Daredevils?
Shoaib: I think Sehwag and Gautam. In fact,we played Under-19s together. Yuvraj,Harbhajan,Kaif. They are superb cricketers. Even Yuvraj and Harbhajan,in fact the entire Indian team. Sehwag and Yuvraj are the two players who have lifted the Indian team and Gautam is one the best Test batsmen. Opening is very important. If your start is good,you can always score 300 plus. That’s the key for the Indian team.

I hope you know that Sania is an avid cricket watcher. The first time I interviewed her,I remember asking her what were the three things she would ask if she meet Sachin Tendulkar. Do you (Sania) remember that? You had said you’ll ask how he manages fame and keep his head on his shoulders.
Sania: I have met him a lot of times after that. I think I’ve asked all those.

Ok. Did you ask the third question you told me? You said you’ll ask Sachin how he manages to hit big sixes when he is even shorter than you.
Sania: You are putting me in trouble. I have not asked him that.

You promised that. So,I’m telling you (Shoaib) what you are going to face. Shoaib,it was wonderful to converse with you. Welcome to India in this way now. I hope we see you soon enough playing in India in the IPL. I hope the two countries start playing. Wish you both a wonderful married life and sporting career.
Thanks.
_Transcribed by Rahul Nandan.