“I feel satisfied with the progress I’ve made. I will only quit when I feel I can’t play anymore. But right now, I feel there’s more to come from me." PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Despite toiling hard for over 10 years, a grand slam title still eludes Aisamul Haq Qureshi.
The latest setback came when the Pakistan tennis ace crashed out of the French Open mixed doubles semi-final with Zimbabwean Cara Black, raising concerns over the 33-year-old’s fitness and chances of being able to clinch a grand slam event.
However, Aisam remains confident and, regardless of the number in the age column, is still chasing the grand slam dream.
“I’m still learning every day,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “It’s just been three years that I’ve started playing ATP 1000 events. Before that I spent most of my time playing the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures and Challenge tournaments.
“I haven’t lost any motivation and while we crashed out of the French Open, the performance has been consistent. I have certain goals and I will not quit until I win a grand slam. I will not retire because people think I can’t win.”
‘More to come from me’
Aisam, who has taken part in 19 grand slams since 2008, added that he was working hard to maintain his ranking among the top 10 doubles players.
“I feel satisfied with the progress I’ve made. I will only quit when I feel I can’t play anymore. But right now, I feel there’s more to come from me. My critics don’t understand that it’s not easy to be the only Pakistani at international tournaments. I’m very consistent. I know I haven’t won any grand slam yet but after winning the Miami Open [this year], I’m more motivated than ever. It even took Andy Murray a while to win his first grand slam. I’ve just started my international career now.”
Aisam said he is looking forward to defending his doubles title with Dutch player Jean-Julien Rojer at the Halle Open that gets underway June 11.
“I know I’m almost there, and this year I will win a grand slam. It’s just a matter of time. This year, I’m defending my title at Halle Open for the third year in a row. I know I’ve been winning trophies, just not a grand slam one.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2013.
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Fully agree with Mr. Kamal above. Why do we exaggerate and try to hide the truth. The truth is that he failed in ATP SINGLES playing after trying for so many years. He was unable to rank better than No. 150 or 160 in the world in singles which is the main thing in tennis. This is a fact. Then he started palying doubles and did a good job, but not enough to win any Grand Slam title, like the Indians have done so many times. And why Aisam is comparing himself to Andy Murray who is a top 3 SINGLES player in the world.I'm not denying by Pakistani standards in tennis he has done a great job and deserves some praise. But in singles even Asian players beat him..
He made Pakistan proud on many occasions. Deserve a better article.
Well done Aisam! You make us proud.
When our cricket team (a team of 11 people who are supporting each other) wins anything we are on top of the world.
Sports like tennis are much much harder cause no one else can play slightly better ona day to cover up...even if Afridi gets out on a duck at the beginning of a tournament he can go on to score a century in the next...in tennis this cant happen...if you are not your top form every single time you play, you don't get another chance.
Aisam has done more for tennis and for Pakistan than most of us!
Go Aisam! We are all very very proud of you!
Haters gonna hate!
We Pakistan love to exaggerate and make tall, fictional claims. Like Malik Riaz was going to build the world's tallest building in Pakistan. Or like the infamour water- powered car. Or like Aisam's tall claims in tennis, a player exalted to iconic heights by the media and propoganda. As one who has been closely following Aisma's tennis career, let me bring our people closer to facts. After playing singles tennis for many years Aisam unfortunately couldn't get his ATP Singles below 150. see www.atpworldtour.com Therefore in vain he then switched to playing doubles and with the help of some excellent doubles partners he did reasonably well, but not enough to win a Garnd Slam title. Indian players, Bhupati and Peas have been ranked # 1 in doubles in the world and have many Grand Slam Championships. People must know that in tennis its the singles that counts and matters. Doubles is like a consolation event, hardly anyone watches doubles. So please don't exaggerate. In singles even Asian players have beaten Aisam.
At least someone has the guts to talk facts. In a country awfully short of “real heroes”, people have to make do with what is available. Enough hero worshiping has been done to the lesser mortals like Aisam. They have terribly fallen short of the expectations & could never justify the adulation bestowed upon them. I feel sorry for people who complain about the minimal training facilities. If that were the only criteria, athletes from the African countries would never win Olympic golds.
You make us proud! Keep it up :-)
Right ET, so who do you suppose should fill in his shoes? Shoaib Malik? He's the only recognized tennis player we have and we'll support him every time he goes under the banner of Pakistan. Let's hope he can inspire some young kids and we can also someday have a Nadal and a Federer of our own. Till then, Well Done Aisam for reaching the semis.. hundreds even couldn't make it to the tournament!
The title of the article is very mean and degrading. There is a guy fighting against all odds, and facilities. Kindly show a bit more compassion. Through him, and some other self-made gems, we at least see the name of our country in positive light. Thank you Aisam.
Welldone and keep it up Aisam. ET, the title is not justified. I understand that you can print anything about anyone in a country with non-existent publishing regulations and if any rules exist then they are never followed by media. However, you should realize that Aisam is from a country with minimal training facilities and access to sports knowledge. Reaching his level of rankings is already a great achievement.