Indian tennis icon and former wife of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Sania Mirza, is not only a sports legend but also a devoted mother who wears her motherhood journey with pride and honesty.

In a heartfelt and emotional podcast interview, Sania Mirza revealed the untold challenges she faced as a working mom, from the physical and mental toll to the emotional weight of leaving her child behind to return to work.

“Parenting is never 50-50 — mothers always do more,” says Sania Mirza

Speaking candidly about the sacrifices mothers make, Sania said, “This world is not equal for mothers. It never has been.” She emphasized that while both parents play a role, mothers often carry the heavier emotional and physical burden.

She shared that life before her son’s birth was smooth, but post-delivery, breastfeeding proved to be one of the most challenging phases. Just six weeks after giving birth, she returned to work — a decision that brought emotional turmoil. “I cried on flights, leaving my baby behind. It was so hard,” she admitted.

“Being a working mother is a different kind of struggle” — Sania gets real

Sania highlighted the unique challenges faced by working mothers, especially those in high-pressure careers. She stressed that no matter a woman’s profession or background, the sacrifices of a mother — emotional, physical, and mental — are immense and often underappreciated.

Social media praises Sania Mirza: ‘A champion on the court, a supermom off it’

Her honest reflections struck a powerful chord online. Thousands of women resonated with her words, praising her for speaking out about a truth many mothers live but few openly share. “She’s a sports star who puts motherhood first. That’s real strength,” wrote one user.

Sania Mirza’s candid conversation sheds light on the hidden labor of motherhood and the societal imbalance that still persists — reminding the world that behind every successful woman, there’s often an unspoken story of sacrifice.