By Zainab Shafiq 
Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza has certainly taken a new step towards an entirely new start by replacing her ex-husband Shoaib Malik’s name with that of their son Izhan at her Dubai villa. This symbolic change marks her journey into a whole new phase of life, one where motherhood and personal independence take center stage.
Mirza has stayed in the UAE for some time and, with Izhan, is getting ready to shift into a newly built villa. Official accounts say that the final touches on the house are being given, which marks a new abode amidst fresh possibilities. Sania stated that her son is always foremost in her mind, adding that he was more than a best friend, while also her pillar of strength.
The separation comes after Mirza’s very public split from former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik in 2024, ending their 14-year marriage. Their son, Izhan, born in 2017, is at the center of her life and will shape her future decisions.
While Mirza keeps her personal life pretty much behind closed doors, she has been the subject of rampant speculation about an association with UAE-based business tycoon Adeeb Sajan. Neither party has confirmed the nature of their relationship, but sources say Sajan had a role to play in the design of her new pad.
Beyond the personal sphere, Mirza continues to make her presence felt in the sporting world. Even though she retired from professional tennis in 2023 as a six-time Grand Slam champion, she is still deeply invested in the game through her academies in Dubai and Hyderabad. Her expertise also shines on television, as she recently served as a sports analyst during the 2025 Australian Open for Sony Sports Network.
Meanwhile, in a foreign land, cricketer Shoaib Malik and actress Sana Javed had recently completed one year of marriage, where the couple put out sweet words and memories for the world to see. They went on to Instagram, with Malik posting an emotional reel with the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran and Sana a set of love photographs from her wedding celebrations in a carousel.
However, the display of love that the couple portrayed did not escape the eyes and minds of all their followers because some compared this to Malik’s previous relationship with Mirza. Despite the mixed reactions, however, the couple remains unfazed, posting pictures filled with love and giving unrelenting support to each other.
As Mirza continues to move forward, building a life around her son, and Malik begins to settle into this new chapter with Sana, both former partners seem to be moving on their own separate ways, each in their own respective manner embracing the future.
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