Happy Birthday Sania Mirza: Top controversies surround the Indian tennis star at PICS

Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza celebrates her 36th birthday on Tuesday (November 15). Amid divorce rumours, Sania's husband Shoaib Malik was the first to wish her. In this collection of photos, we look at some of the top controversies surrounding Sania Mirza's life and career.

Almost a decade ago, a fatwa was issued against Sania Mirza for wearing a short skirt during a tennis match. She faced many sexist comments for her attire. (Source: Twitter)

In 2007, the Minority Welfare Department filed a complaint against Sania Mirza for entering the mosque premises and firing. His firing drew angry reactions from locals, some clerics and activists. (Source: Twitter)

In 2008, Sania was watching a tennis match with her feet on a table next to the Indian national flag. He was summoned for disrespecting the national flag after a social activist Prakash Singh Tagore filed a case against him under the Prevention of Defamation of National Honor Act (1971). (Source: Twitter)

In 2009, Sania Mirza dated childhood friend Sohrab Mirza and later got engaged to him in Hyderabad. After six months, the couple felt incompatible and decided to part ways. (Source: Twitter)

Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza celebrates her 36th birthday on Tuesday (November 15). Rumors of Sania's marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik have been rife in recent times though the couple remains strong. (Source: Twitter)

Sania Mirza was embroiled in a bitter dispute with the Indian Tennis Association (AITA) before the 2012 London Olympics. Sania wanted to play mixed doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi while AITA paired her with Leander Paes. (Source: Twitter)

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FAQ

Is Sania Mirza Shia or Sunni?

Sania Mirza belongs to a Sunni Muslim family and follows Islam. His father, Imran Mirza, is a former sports journalist who ran a sports magazine called "Sports Call" in Hyderabad.

Where did Sania Mirza learn tennis?

Sania Mirza started playing tennis at the age of six. He was coached by his father and won 10 singles and 13 doubles titles as a junior player, including the 2003 Wimbledon Championships and the 2003 Afro-Asian Games.

What is Sania Mirza famous for?

India's greatest ever women's tennis player, Sania Mirza, is responsible for many firsts in Indian tennis. To name a few, the Hyderabad-based tennis star is the first Indian woman to win a WTA title, reach No. 1 in the WTA doubles rankings, top 30 in the WTA singles rankings or win a Grand Slam.

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