Aisamul Haq’s Davis Cup participation in doubt after herniated disc diagnosis

Tennis star and President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, Aisamul Haq, has been diagnosed with a herniated disc.

The Pakistan Davis Cup team departed from Islamabad to Barbados on Saturday, where they will compete against the host team in the Davis Cup tie on September 14.

Aisam-ul-Haq was scheduled to join the team as a player, but due to his herniated disc, he was unable to travel with them. His chances of participating in the Davis Cup tie are now uncertain.

The eight-member Pakistani team traveling to Barbados includes three officials. The team comprises Aqeel Khan, Muhammad Shoaib, Yusuf Khalil, and Ahmad Qureshi.

The officials are Hamid Haq (captain), Muhammad Khalid (coach), Colonel (retd) Ziauddin Tufail (manager secretary), and Muhammad Shahid (physio).

The 48 nations competing in the 2024 Davis Cup World Group I and World Group II have revealed their teams, featuring notable players such as Novak Djokovic from Serbia and Casper Ruud from Norway.

In total, 228 players are set to represent their countries in the World Group I and II ties. Additionally, with 16 teams participating in the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage next week, over 300 athletes will be involved in the competition this month.

Earlier this year, Tennis ace  Aisamul Haq Qureshi became the first active player to hold the President's office as he sets eyes on reviving the sport in Pakistan.

He is now the elected chief of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), replacing outgoing-president politician Salim Saifullah.

Aisam's tenure will be for four years till 2028.

The election of the federation took place on February 10, eight out of 15 units voted for Aisam making him the winner of the poll while retired Major General Asghar Nawaz received seven votes at the PTF SDA Tennis Complex in Islamabad.

Meanwhile earlier today, Pakistan's under-12 tennis team has departed for Shymkent, Kazakhstan, to compete in the ATF Under-12 Championship, which runs from 16 to 21 September.

The event will feature 12 teams from across the region.

The team includes three players: Shayaan Afridi, Muhammad Junaid, and Rashid Ali. Coach Muhammad Abid will accompany the players as the non-playing captain.

The team is expected to not only participate in the tournament but also engage in a comprehensive three-week training camp.