The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Sania, is best friend. She is the most grounded and most down-to-earth person I have met, other than myself. I think we get along, because she is normal. I need to go outside of our friendship to realize what a big star she is.

When we are together, we are two normal girl friends, talking about our kids, or just lying in bed and watching Bigg Boss. It’s a very normal friendship—when I see other people’s reactions to her, is when I realize that she is a legend in the sports history of our country. Who had heard of women’s tennis in our country before her? She is a genuine star who has just done what she has done, without waving the flag of feminism or using the woman card.

We get along because we have this wicked sense of humour—we can get really dark. We find humour in most things.

She is actually also a very girly girl. She likes getting dressed up—I tell her she is a heroine without being a heroine. I have seen her in a nightie at home, without makeup, when we do sleepovers. But she also likes to dress up—it’s a dichotomy for me.

This is not the end for her; she is multifaceted. But for a sportsperson, this is a landmark. She also had a baby, and within six months, she played again. That kind of dedication I am amazed at, because when we are together, it’s all fun and games. Her will power amazes me.