It was disappointing but I focus on the positives: Aisam
Pakistan tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi is disappointed after crashing out of the first Grand Slam of the year.
LAHORE:
Pakistan tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi is disappointed after crashing out of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne but insists on focusing on the positives that he derived out of the high-profile tournament. Aisam lost in the third round of the Australian Open where he partnered India’s Rohan Bopanna while also going down in the mixed doubles event in the first outing. However, the Pakistan tennis star made it to the last-four of the Sydney Open held before the Grand Slam event.
“It was somehow a disappointing start to my year because expectations were higher than before,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “But someway if you dig into my career I had never won a single match in Australia but this time I made into the semi-final in Sydney — which itself is a good thing because no one from Pakistan has reached this mark before.”
Silver lining
Aisam insists on focusing on the positives. “Though it was unfortunate losing the match but I got a raise in points within these three weeks.
“Fortunately I have been able to make 250 points that will improve my ranking. So extracting all positives, I am satisfied with my performance as we played out some tough games in quarter-final against one of the top doubles pair in the world.”
The Indo-Pak Express, consisting of Aisam and Bopanna, went down to Nanad Zimonjic of Serbia and Michael Llodra of France at the Australian Open. The match was drawn one set all before Zimonjic and Llodra defeated them 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 on the eighth day of the tournament.
Their opponents Llodra and Zimonic were ranked eighth in the tournament compared to Aisam and Bopanna’s 10th seeding. Earlier, the pair had defeated the Frenchmen Jeremy Chardy and Arnaud Clement to advance to the third round.
Tennis philanthropy
Despite a below-par performance at the Australian Open, Aisam continues to use the game for the good will to achieve success by spreading the message of peace and tolerance.
“However, off the court it was a good tournament as I was able to meet ATP’s top players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova who promised me to donate their rackets, shoes and kits for the flood victims,” maintained Aisam. “So I am planning an auction with the help of the UN to generate as many funds for the victims as I can.”
Pak-India border match
Aisam further confirmed that he and Bopanna plan on playing a match at the border of Pakistan-India at Wagha in a bid to promote peace between both countries. “I was in discussion with the Indian Tennis Federation (ITF) and they are also pushing for it.
“We are likely to write a letter to the governments in both countries but it the meantime the message has been delivered to both countries’ presidents and prime ministers. We’re hoping to get a green signal to hold this exhibition match soon.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2011.
Pakistan tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi is disappointed after crashing out of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne but insists on focusing on the positives that he derived out of the high-profile tournament. Aisam lost in the third round of the Australian Open where he partnered India’s Rohan Bopanna while also going down in the mixed doubles event in the first outing. However, the Pakistan tennis star made it to the last-four of the Sydney Open held before the Grand Slam event.
“It was somehow a disappointing start to my year because expectations were higher than before,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “But someway if you dig into my career I had never won a single match in Australia but this time I made into the semi-final in Sydney — which itself is a good thing because no one from Pakistan has reached this mark before.”
Silver lining
Aisam insists on focusing on the positives. “Though it was unfortunate losing the match but I got a raise in points within these three weeks.
“Fortunately I have been able to make 250 points that will improve my ranking. So extracting all positives, I am satisfied with my performance as we played out some tough games in quarter-final against one of the top doubles pair in the world.”
The Indo-Pak Express, consisting of Aisam and Bopanna, went down to Nanad Zimonjic of Serbia and Michael Llodra of France at the Australian Open. The match was drawn one set all before Zimonjic and Llodra defeated them 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 on the eighth day of the tournament.
Their opponents Llodra and Zimonic were ranked eighth in the tournament compared to Aisam and Bopanna’s 10th seeding. Earlier, the pair had defeated the Frenchmen Jeremy Chardy and Arnaud Clement to advance to the third round.
Tennis philanthropy
Despite a below-par performance at the Australian Open, Aisam continues to use the game for the good will to achieve success by spreading the message of peace and tolerance.
“However, off the court it was a good tournament as I was able to meet ATP’s top players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova who promised me to donate their rackets, shoes and kits for the flood victims,” maintained Aisam. “So I am planning an auction with the help of the UN to generate as many funds for the victims as I can.”
Pak-India border match
Aisam further confirmed that he and Bopanna plan on playing a match at the border of Pakistan-India at Wagha in a bid to promote peace between both countries. “I was in discussion with the Indian Tennis Federation (ITF) and they are also pushing for it.
“We are likely to write a letter to the governments in both countries but it the meantime the message has been delivered to both countries’ presidents and prime ministers. We’re hoping to get a green signal to hold this exhibition match soon.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2011.