Sania most searched tennis star on Google

Sania Mirza was the most Googled female tennis player in 2011, leaving behind bigger names like Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic.

Despite her lowly world ranking of 113, the 25-year-old tennis star can count on an army of fans in the subcontinent to cheer her on as she flies the flag for India on the women's tour.

Mirza is married to Pakistan cricket star Shoaib Malik.

Speaking to CNN's Open Court, India's No1 talks of the obstacles she has faced in her career, which include having a fatwa on her head for wearing a short skirt on court.

"When I started playing tennis, I don't think many people believed playing tennis could be a profession for a girl from Hyderabad," the Sun quoted her as telling the news network.

"When I used to say, 'One day, I want to play at Wimbledon', it was treated as a joke because it had never happened before.

"Tennis in India still has a long way to go for people to believe that women can play it and they're not wasting their time or life," she added.

Sania-Shoaib in Bigg Boss 4?

If rumours are to be believed, tennis star Sania Mirza and her Pakistani cricketer husband Shoaib Malik will be the inmates in the fourth season of reality show Bigg Boss 4, reports Headlines Today.

Shoaib was dragged into a controversy earlier this year when his first wife in Hyderabad threatened to sue him ahead of his marriage to Sania. Sania too had broken her engagement with her childhood friend Sohrab Mirza to be with Shoaib.

What's more? Rahul Mahajan, who was seen in the second season of the show is making a comeback in the fourth season, this time along with his wife Dimpy Mahajan.

Actress Neetu Chandra, who grabbed headlines recently for her alleged role in spot-fixing, is also among one of the inmates on the show.

Buzz is that Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, who was arrested on charges of raping his maid will also be seen on the show. The victim recently turned hostile in the court.

With Dabangg star Salman Khan as the new host of the latest edition, the reality show certainly has 'bigg' plans to keep the audience glued to their television screens.

At last---- They get Married

Clad in red traditional bridal wear, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Monday afternoon after they got a no-objection certificate from the city police.

Accompanied by her father Imran Mirza, mother Naseema, younger sister Anam and a few close relatives, Sania reached a five-star hotel, Taj Deccan, where according to Qazi Mohammed Najeebuddin, the ‘nikah’took place at 1.15 p.m.

The 23-year-old, who was wearing a red saree, which her mother wore on her wedding 25 years ago, left her residence in Jubliee Hills amid drum beats.

Shoaib, 28, who divorced his first Ayesha Siddiqui last week, wore a black ’sherwani’ which was made by Shantanu and Nikhil.

Since the Qazi had refused to perform the ‘nikah’ Friday in the absence of Shoaib’s passport, sources said Sania’s family got a no-objection certificate from the Hyderabad police.

Shoaib’s passport, seized last week in connection with the case filed by his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, is still with the police.

Security has been tightened at the hotel and the media was not allowed inside.

Earlier, Sania’s spokesperson confirmed that the wedding would be held Monday.

“This is to confirm that Sania and Shoaib’s wedding will take place shortly. The timing and venue can’t be disclosed for security reasons,” Rucha Naik told reporters outside Sania’s residence.

Naik said there would be a ‘mehendi’ ceremony Tuesday. The ’sangeet’ would be held the next day while Sania’s family would hold the wedding reception April 15.

The ‘nikah’ put an end to a series of controversies surrounding the high-profile marriage ever since it was announced March 29.

It is learnt that the two families decided to solemnise the marriage Monday to avoid further controversies, especially in the light of Sunday’s ‘fatwa’ issued by Islamic religious scholars against Sania and Shoaib living together before their marriage.

Sania’s media manager Sunday night clarified that Shoaib moved out of Sania’s house a few days ago.

The Sunni Ulema Board, a group of religious scholars, had declared that the act of Sania and Shoaib living together was against Islamic Shariat. It asked Muslims not to attend such marriages where men and women come together in close proximity in violation of Islamic rules.

Additional Commissioner of Police N. Narasimha Reddy said it may take a week for Shoaib to get back his passport from a court as some formalities with regard to closure of the case would have to be completed.

Ayesha withdrew the case Wednesday after Shoaib divorced her.

Shoaib weds Sania

HYDERABAD: Shoaib Malik finally married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Monday in her hometown of Hyderabad.

The wedding was held at 1 pm at the Taj Krishna, a private function with close family members as invitees.

"Sania wore a red saree that her mother had worn 25 years ago for her own nikaah. Shoaib wore wearing a black sherwani which was made by Shantanu and Nikhil," said Sania's spokesperson, Rucha Nayak.
Mirzas's mehendi is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by a sangeet on Wednesday, a lavish reception will be held on Thursday.

Shoania’s mehndi on April 13

HYDERABAD: The mehndi ceremony of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza will be held here on April 13.

The preparations for the mehndi ceremony, to be held at Mirza House on April 13, are in full swing from the families of both sporting stars.

Sources said that both the families played ‘antakshri’ and ‘damshrad’ last night and the guests were served Chinese food which is a favourite dish of Sania and Shoaib.

Some 1,000 guests are expected to attend the wedding reception, scheduled to be held on April 15.

Chief Qazi says Shoania Nikah not today

HYDERABAD: Chief Qazi of Hyderabad Deccan Najamuddin has said that the Nikah of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza is not going to take place today (Friday) and the statement of Azmatullah Jafri in this regard has no substance.

He said Azmatullah cannot execute Nikah of the couple without his permission.

Najamuddin Hussain said he himself would carry out Nikah of Shoaib and Sania.

Meanwhile, the father of Sania Mirza said the wedding celebrations will be kicked off from April 13.

Shoiab Sania tie the knot today

HYDERABAD: Pakistani Cricketer Shoiab Malik and Indian Tennis ace Sania Mirza tie the knot today, an Indian newspaper reported on Friday. Nikah will perform after Magrib at the residence of Sania Mirza.

As per Islamic Law Nikah will be perform by Qazi Azmathullah Jafferi in the presence of both family members, relatives and some intimate friends.

As earlier Sania and shoiab told in front of Media that Marriage will be held on 15th April but after the discussion between both the families and authentication given by Qazath, it is scheduled on 9th April 2010 at the residence of Sania Mirza.

The reception party is scheduled on 15th April 2010 at Hotel Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The famous personalities will attend the reception. Famous Singer Talath Aziz will perform in reception party.

In the Nikah not only both family members but also the relative and friends of Shoiab Malik who came from Pakistan will attend the Nikah, Sania relatives and friends also there.

Fans bother Shoaib, Sania amid marriage preparations

HYDERABAD DECCAN: Former captain Pakistan cricket team Shoaib Malik, in general thanked Pakistani nation and the Pakistani media in particular to standby him in hours of the lurch, Geo news reported Thursdaynight.

Meanwhile, would-be-couple is facing hardships in doing shopping for preparation of their wedding – scheduled on April 15 this month due to fans, who are constantly after two sports giants.

According to sources, Shoaib Malik sent a letter to Pakistani media, thanking for their all-out support during troubled-situation, which he came across following announcement of his marriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

“It is due to courageous support of Pakistani media, which helped me go through tough situation during last some days”, he wrote.

“I am proud of being Pakistani,” he observed, hoping that his would-be-spouse shall receive memorable reception in Pakistan.

He also apologized nation for his faults, asking that my nation should be kind enough to forgive me, if I have committed any mistake, considering me their younger brother.

On the other hand, people in Pakistan said Shoaib has done nothing wrong by resolving to tie a knot with an Indian sports star.

According to news reaching here from Hyderabad Deccan, would-be-bride and bridegroom are facing tough time during shopping due to constant pursuit of media.

Some family sources also told media, not to mention of shopping, two are even unable to move about out side Sania’s residence.

Shoaib divorces Ayesha, claims Siddiqui family

NEW DELHI: Shoaib-Ayesha controversy took the ugliest turn ever, when a close friend of Siddiqui family claimed that Pakistani cricketer and former captain Shoaib Malik sent divorce to his alleged first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, Geo News reported Wednesday.

Meantime, Ayesha Siddiqui’s counsel in Pakistan Barrister Farooq Hasan also confirmed the divorce from Shoaib.

According to an Indian news channel, Shoaib’s counsel went to Siddiqui’s home and handed them the document of divorce.

Ramesh Gupta, the lawyer for Malik, said Malik would marry Sania after divorcing the Hyderabad girl.
Earlier Gupta said an amicable agreement is being worked out between the Siddiqui and Mirza families. Ayesha’s father will hold a press conference at 3 PM today to clear the air.

The developments mean that Shoaib will finally have to accept his lie and come out clean about Ayesha being his legal wife. A number of influential Hyderabadi families have been reported to have mediated the truce.

Sania-Shoaib wedding may be postponed?

As events around the wedding between Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and tennis ace Sania Mirza get murkier by the day, the Indian sports icon's family was "keeping all options open", including postponing the wedding, indicated a close family friend.

Andhra Cricket Association's former secretary V. Chamundeswaranath, a close friend of Sania's family, told reporters late Monday that "while no decision was taken to postpone the marriage, the family was keeping all options open".

Chamundeswaranath has been regularly visiting the Mirza family ever since Shoaib arrived here Friday for his wedding scheduled for April 15.

With Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be Shoaib's first wife, launching a legal fight to prove her claim and the police not ruling out the Pakistani cricketer's arrest, the two families are seriously considering delaying the marriage, it is learnt.

Police Monday grilled Shoaib at Sania's house after booking a criminal case of cheating, harassment and criminal intimidation against him following a complaint by Ayesha, who is also a resident of this city.

Though both Shoaib and Sania, during their interaction with the media Monday, asserted that the marriage would take place April 15, the family is visibly worried over the impact the controversy may have on the celebrations.

Sania was tense and irritated while answering media queries Monday. "Of course I am upset but we are happy that we are together and we are happy that we are getting married, Inshallah. We want to remember this as a happy occasion in our life and not as bad thing or negative thing," she said.

Police officers, who took away Shoaib's passport, said he may be questioned again and may also be arrested on the basis of evidence they may come across during the course of investigations.

Shoaib, Sania while away time with ice cream outing

HYDERABAD: Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza gone for outing and ate ice cream on Monday evening to release the tension surrounded them due to the controversy of Shoaib’s alleged first marriage to Ayesha Siddiqui.

The two along with Sania’s family went for a drive in the city and enjoyed ice cream in an effort to release the tension that encircled them.

Sania, clearly up set on the controversy, said she would continue supporting Shoaib. She said the marriage will be held as per scheduled.

On the other hand, Shoaib said he was in India not only to marry Sania Mirza, but also to clear his name from the controversy surrounding his alleged first marriage to Ayesha Siddiqui.

Sania Mirza should play for Pakistan after marriage

Even though Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has clarified that she is not making any political statement by marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has expressed hope that the wedding would help improve ties between India and Pakistan.

“While the decision by Shoaib and Sania is a personal one to get married, but I am sure it will have far-reaching effects and help improve relations between the two countries,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

“I am sure the marriage will help regulate not only sporting relations but also help the people to come closer to each other and improve government to government level relations,” he added.

Several Pakistani sports personalities, including Imran Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq, have wished the sports couple ‘good luck’ for a happy married life.

However, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) chief Dilawar Abbas has said that India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan in international tennis tournaments after entering into wedlock with cricketer Shoaib Malik.

"It is great news for our tennis community that Sania Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for us in future.

"She has a great future ahead and we would be delighted if she plays for Pakistan," The News quoted Abbas, as saying.

"Asian women traditionally follow their husbands and that's why I'm hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan," he added.

Sania has already made it clear that she would continue representing India even after her marriage.

Abbas said that even if Sania decides to continue playing for India, he hopes that she would associate herself with Pakistan tennis at some point of time.

"She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players. We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to women's tennis in Pakistan," he said.

Abbas even suggested that Sania could team up with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq on the mixed-doubles circuit.

"Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I believe that their team would not just achieve great results internationally but will also help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan," he said.

However, according to the latest shocking news, the Pakistan High Commission has denied tennis star Sania Mirza a visa for Sialkot, the home town of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik where a reception was to be held after the couple's marriage.

Sania has only got visa for Lahore and Karachi. The duo will will tie the knot on April 11 in Hyderabad while their wedding reception is slated to be held in Dubai on April 15, where the sports couple would be staying after marriage.

But will Sania be the second wife of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik? Yes, if one believes the father of a girl who claims to be Malik’s first wife.

Mohammed Ahmed Siddiqui, a businessman here, Wednesday announced his decision to move a court of law to seek divorce from Malik for his daughter Ayesha Siddiqui so that she can re-marry.

Hitting out at Malik, Siddiqui said the Pakistani was an “expert in enticing and entangling girls” and that could be the reason for Sania falling for him.

“He plays games with girls. He is the kind of a man who is not satisfied with one girl. He wants to be with one girl today and another girl tomorrow.

He cheated girls even in Pakistan,” a furious Siddiqui told reporters here, a day after Sania announced that she would marry the former Pakistani captain next month.

“I spoke to (the) Grand Mufti and showed him all the proof including the nikhanama of my daughter’s marriage with Shoaib and he told me that Sania will be his second wife,” Siddiqui said.

“Sania is also like my daughter. We have good relations with her family but unfortunately she decided to marry Shoaib despite knowing what he did to my daughter,” said Siddiqui.

Ayesha’s father claimed that he spoke to advocates who told him that his case is strong.

“I have the evidence to prove the marriage. He himself told the entire world that Hyderabad is his wife’s hometown and Ayesha is the name of his wife. Now he is denying the marriage and hiding his face,” he said.

Siddiqui denied the reported allegation by Malik that he was demanding Rs.18 lakh.

“Divorce for my daughter is the only thing I want from him. He is not giving divorce because this will expose him as a liar,” he said.

He claimed that the Pakistani cricketer visited Hyderabad six to seven times after marrying Ayesha. He recalled that at a Man of the Match presentation ceremony after a practice match between India and Pakistan here in 2005, Malik told Arun Lal that Hyderabad is the hometown of his wife.

“He along with the entire team came to our house,” he said referring to the reception he hosted.

Sania, the top ranking Indian woman tennis player called off her engagement with childhood friend Sohrab two months ago citing “incompatibility”.

Sania had Tuesday said that the controversy involving Malik was not on her mind. “I live in the present and so does he (Malik),” she said.

The Siddiqui family claims that Malik married Ayesha June 3, 2002 through exchange of vows (nikah) over telephone. The Pakistani cricketer has denied this.

While admitting that they were engaged, Malik said he called it off as the two families could not reach an understanding on some issues.

In February 2008, Siddiqui had threatened to sue Malik for denying the marriage with Ayesha.

He also claimed that he has the proof of marriage but did not file the case after Malik’s family accused him of cheating and warned of legal action.

In January 2008, Malik announced that he was calling off the engagement with Ayesha.

I know the truth of Shoaib's 'marriage'

The controversy regarding Sania mirza and Shoaib Malik's wedding is just refusing to die dwon. Talking to a leading daily Farisa Siddiqui, mother of Ayesha Siddiqui said, “Shoaib married and abandoned our daughter and did not even give a divorce. We had threatened to sue them, and now they are turning around and daring us? What wrong have we done to get caught up in a controversy? We only asked for justice."

But Farisa says that although they know Sania’s family well, they won’t try to stop the marriage.

"If they are getting married now, it’s their matter and I don’t want to say anything. I’m just worried for my daughter," she added.

In the meanwhile, Sania Mirza backed Shoaib Malik on the matter, saying that she and her family have known the truth all along.

"Me and my family know what the truth is, we've known it all along and we have confidence in god's justice," Sania said.

Getting ready for the "biggest day" of her life, Sania said she never thought she would have to deal with so many things apart from the regular pre-wedding jitters.

"Too much going on, never in my life thought that I'd had to worry about anything of this sort, rather than my mehendi!" she said.

"Leaves me with no choice but to laugh. I am pretty sure these are not the pre-wedding jitters or butterflies in the stomach my married cousins were talking about!" she quipped.

Meanwhile, Shoaib's family has got in touch with Delhi-based criminal lawyer Ramesh Gupta, who has been representing them in the battle with the Siddiquis for the past two years.