Sania Mirza gets real about money, motherhood and finding epic success in Dubai: 'I still check my bills'

Dubai: “I’m still a middle-class girl at heart. Believe it or not, if my DEWA [electricity and water] bill is even 2,000 dirhams higher, I’ll go to the house manager and ask why,” laughs Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza, seated comfortably at the Dubai Sports Council — in the very city that’s become her sanctuary, her base, and now, her launch pad for a bold new chapter.

Check out Sania Mirza spilling the tea on money, Dubai, and more:

Since moving to Dubai in 2010, Sania has steadily made the city her own — raising her son Izhaan, retiring from professional tennis in 2023, and now stepping into a new arena as an entrepreneur championing pickleball, a fast-growing sport she hopes will thrive in the UAE.

“Dubai has always pioneered change — the tallest tower, the best roads, the fastest cars. So why not a sport that hasn’t been played here before?” she says, flashing the same confident smile that once lit up centre courts across the world.

Pickleball, often dubbed “a lazy person’s tennis,” is anything but — at least the way Sania sees it.

“Tennis players might say that,” she teases. “But play pickleball professionally and it’s intense. Casually, it’s great for families. You can play for an hour, grab a coffee, bring your kids. It’s social, inclusive, and brings people together. That’s the future I want to help shape.”

She’s not alone. Joining her in this new venture are Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and director Shashank Khaitan, under the umbrella of Global Sports. Together, they’re launching the Pickleball Open 2025 — backed by the Dubai Sports Council and set to run from May 8 to 11.

“Karan brings the glamour. I bring it too… but mine’s more of a byproduct,” she jokes. “We’ve had many great laughs and dinners over the years. He’s pioneered cinema and storytelling — often ahead of his time. So it made perfect sense for him to be part of a sport that’s also a little ahead of its time here.”

Behind the sparkle is sharp instinct — and serious business acumen. As of 2025, Sania Mirza’s net worth is estimated at Rs2.16 billion (around $26 million), making her one of India’s wealthiest athletes. Her income spans brand endorsements, real estate investments, and her tennis academies in India and Dubai.

“I didn’t grow up chasing wealth,” she reflects. “My dream was to be the best tennis player I could be. Money and fame came later — as byproducts. They were never the goal.”

She remains deeply grounded despite the financial success.

“I’m not the type to splurge without thought. I respect money. It’s how I was raised — even now, if my bills are too high, I ask questions. I want to be responsible. Especially now, raising my son on my own.”

Post-divorce with Pakistani cricketer Shoib Malik in January 2024, Sania has embraced single motherhood while continuing to build her legacy in Dubai. And true to form, her next move is all about creating impact — and healthier communities.

“We’ve all done the late-night partying,” she says, adding she does not drink alcohol.

“But I hope our kids grow up meeting at pickleball matches instead. That’s the kind of lifestyle we should be prioritising — something fun, social, and actually good for you.”

It’s easy to view Sania’s second act as a rebrand — the athlete-turned-entrepreneur — but for her, it’s simply growth.

“I don’t see this as reinvention. It’s evolution. Life changes, sport changes — and we grow with it.”

And like everything she’s done — from breaking barriers in tennis to building a sporting ecosystem in the UAE — Sania Mirza is doing it on her own terms: with grace, grit, humour, and just the right amount of glamour.