When Sania Mirza landed in Beijing last week to play the China Open,she discovered that she could watch the World Twenty20 live in her hotel room a pleasant change from the indiscernible television programs the players are sometimes forced to pass their time watching while on tour. And there was even more joy for the 25-year-old as she could catch husband Shoaib Malik making Pakistans highest score during their much-anticipated clash against India. During the last high-profile meeting between India and Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup semifinal,Sania had playfully tweeted to her husband that the war is on. But this sledging is always good natured,she says. Whenever the two countries play,its not a heavy duty fight between us at home as people make it sound. Thats also because hes the one playing on the field so hes not around and he knows I support India and he also knows I support his game, says Sania,who was in Delhi after playing the doubles final in China. The cricket fan that she is,Saina wears her love for India on her sleeve but when Malik has a heartbreaking loss,such as the one to Sri Lanka in the semifinal this time,she slips into wife mode. As a sportsperson I understand what losses are like and how tough it is to get over a big one. This time I know the Pakistan team was very hurt,more so because it was a World Cup and also because they knew they had a real shot at winning it, she says. So how does she console her husband,especially when she is not around? It depends on whether he wants to talk about the match or not. I understand that and respect his choice as I know most times you dont want to talk about losses. This time especially,they were flying the very next day to South Africa and they play a match tomorrow, she says. Sania will fly out to South Africa to watch the Champions League,and root for the Sialkot Stallions,for whom Malik plays. She has done this in the past even when the Stallions were playing domestic cricket in Pakistan. She was in Rawalpindi when Malik lifted his sixth Twenty20 title as captain of the team. Though she has plans to join Malik after she plays her seasons last tournament in Moscow and he is done with the South Africa tour,Sania has not made up her mind about a partner for doubles next year. Re-uniting with her former partner Russian Elena Vesnina,with whom she has enjoyed most success in recent years,is not on the cards. Things are not definite between her and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands,whom Sania partnered at the French,Wimbledon and US Open this year,either. I am still speaking to a few players. Might finalise before the off season but as of now I dont know who I will be entering with at the Australian Open, she says. Parting ways with Bhupathi What is definite is that she is not partnering Mahesh Bhupathi,with whom she has reached two finals at Melbourne and won one. Its not whether I want to partner Mahesh or not in Australia. We just didnt talk about it and I have committed to someone else, Sania said,without revealing the mystery man. However,she says this is not because of the fallout of the Olympic controversy,following which she was partnered with Leander Paes. I hope no other sport goes through what Indian tennis had to but we must pick the positives and move on. I am still friends with Mahesh. I met him and his wife and daughter in China last week but as a team we are not playing mixed doubles together, she says.
