Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has urged society to reevaluate its perception of women's success.
Mirza, who recently went through a divorce with former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, shared her thoughts in response to an advertisement depicting the devaluation of a woman's success and the societal challenges faced by independent women.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Mirza said, "In 2005, I was the first Indian woman to win a WTA title. Big deal, right? When I was world no. 1 in doubles, people were keen to know when I'd settle down. Winning six grand slams isn't settled enough for society."
She expressed gratitude for the support she received but questioned why a woman's achievements often lead to discussions about gender expectations and appearances rather than focusing on her skills and work.
Acknowledging that having a "real conversation" about society is challenging, Sania emphasised the need for introspection on the issue.
Sania Mirza's personal life gained attention on social media when Shoaib Malik shared wedding pictures with Sana Javed, confirming their separation. In response, Sania's team released a statement, sharing that Sania and Shoaib had been divorced for a few months, and requesting privacy and refraining from speculation during this sensitive period.