Still as much in love with Shoaib as when we got married: Sania

'Our marriage has not been easy because we are professional athletes and come from different countries. We knew there would be stress on us with time, but we have so far managed it well.'
Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has dismissed reports that her marriage with Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik is in trouble.

The news of differences and separation of Shoaib and Sania had been doing the rounds in the media for many months, but the Indian tennis player, who was on a private visit to Sialkot, the hometown of her in-laws, clarified that reports about her marriage being on the rocks are incorrect.

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"Our marriage has not been easy because we are professional athletes and come from different countries. We knew there would be stress on us with time but we have so far managed it well. There are no problems between us at all," said Sania.

"I came to Sialkot to just relax with my husband and in-laws before the start of my circuit commitments in Europe. I have had a great time and just been busy eating out and shopping to my heart's content because I was out of the media limelight," she added.

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Speculation about Sania and Shoaib's differences became rife due to the continued distance between the two sporting personalities, but Sania explained that this was understandable since both had their professional commitments.

"It has not been easy for either of us but we have tried to manage as best as we can and I can tell you I am still as much in love with Shoaib as we were when we got married four years ago," she said.

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Sania said that shuffling and managing a married life and a professional tennis career was a difficult job and taxing at times. "But we have the future ahead of us," she pointed out.

The tennis star also made it clear that she loved visiting Pakistan and would have no qualms about taking part in any international event if it was held in the country.

"I know there is lot of talk about the security situation in Pakistan but I have no problems visiting Pakistan as it is my sasural [in-law's residence]," she said.

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Sania said she had been shopping and had also taken time out to enjoy fruit chaat from roadside vendors.

"When I went to the bazaars the shopkeepers used to first wonder whether I was Sania Mirza but when they see Shoaib with me, they knew it was me and it used to be fun giving autographs and clicking pictures.

"This is the best possible way to unwind before a tough tennis circuit coming up," she said.

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Stating that she was a cricket fan and was disappointed at India losing the final of the World T20 tournament against Sri Lanka recently, Sania said, "I watched the final in Sialkot and we were all cheering for India to win but it was Sri Lanka's day.

"I am also praying that Shoaib gets back into form soon as he remains a top player, she said, adding, "Every top cricketer goes through up and down in his career but Shoaib is a top player that is why he is in demand in these foreign T20 leagues."

Sania said she will be leaving for Europe on April 18.

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