Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has been a significant figure in Pakistani tennis for over twenty years, symbolizing the nation’s aspirations on the international sports stage. Achieving remarkable feats like reaching the finals of the US Open in both doubles and mixed doubles in 2010, he carved a niche in a country where tennis often struggles for recognition compared to traditional sports like cricket.
After announcing his retirement last month at the age of 45, Qureshi has now taken on a pivotal role as the president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation. His focus is on nurturing a sustainable tennis environment within the country, which has faced challenges due to limited infrastructure and resources.
Amid his new responsibilities, he expressed pride in the successful Islamabad Challengers event, marking the first ATP Challenger held in Pakistan. Qureshi emphasized the importance of promoting tennis domestically by hosting international events, allowing local players to compete and gain recognition without needing to travel abroad frequently.
In a recent interview, he elaborated on his vision, stating, “The best way to help our players is to bring international events here. It provides them with opportunities to earn ranking points and enhance their profiles.” He highlighted the success of junior tournaments as crucial for developing future talent, noting that Pakistani players had won all five events held so far.
Qureshi also addressed the sport’s elite status in Pakistan, which presents a barrier to broader participation. While introducing tennis to schools for younger children, he cited limited public facilities as a major hurdle. However, he sees potential in leveraging the growth of padel tennis across the country, aiming to create a mini-tennis program using existing padel courts to expand the pool of junior players.
Reflecting on his journey as the only Pakistani tennis player to achieve international acclaim, Qureshi recalled a memorable moment when he defeated tennis legend Roger Federer in a doubles match. This encounter left a lasting impression, as Federer recognized their previous meeting in junior competitions, highlighting Qureshi’s unique position in the sport.
Choosing to return to Pakistan instead of settling abroad, Qureshi remains committed to nurturing young talent, despite bureaucratic challenges. He believes that his journey in tennis has not yet reached its conclusion. “I feel my responsibility is not over,” he stated, expressing determination to elevate Pakistan’s tennis landscape further.
As he continues to work on securing wild cards for players in various tournaments abroad and strives to host more international competitions, Qureshi remains focused on transforming tennis in Pakistan. His vision is clear: with sincerity and dedication, he hopes to inspire a new generation of tennis players and foster a thriving sporting culture in his home country.