Tennis: Aqeel striving for an Olympics berth

Tennis number 1 to take part in foreign events for rankings points.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s top-ranked tennis player Aqeel Khan will be participating in tournaments in Dubai and Bahrain in a bid to earn ranking points that will confirm his berth at the London Olympics’ doubles event where he aims to partner Aisamul Haq Qureshi.

Aqeel will be missing the Davis Cup camp that starts on March 15 with the Dubai tournament starting from March 18.

“My target is to participate in at least six or seven international tournaments,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “The aim is to win at least one event before June to gain ATP ranking points that’ll make me eligible for the Olympics. It’s not going to be easy as I don’t have any support from the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).”

The PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousuf, however, confirmed that the federation was ready to sponsor Aqeel for international events but the player revealed that he has not been contacted regarding any such proposal yet.

Earlier, Aqeel had planned to play in India but failed to get the visa on time.

“Indian events suit me. However, I’ve missed three tournaments there. Now I want to win at least one out of the two events in Dubai and Bahrain.

“If I can’t do that, I’ll begin playing in other international tournaments after April since we have our Davis Cup tie with Philippines starting on April 5.”

Aqeel also revealed that other Pakistanis have also been considered as Aisam’s partners in case he fails to gain the required ATP points.

“We have shortlisted Pakistani players who are playing abroad in case I am unable to make it. Both of us are serious about the Olympics participation even if the PTF isn’t giving it any thought.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.