Pakistan’s no 1 Tennis Player
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is a renowned Pakistan’s most successful and high-profile tennis player. For more than two decades, an athlete from Lahore has been Pakistan’s lone flag-bearer in tennis highest professional stage, winning numerous trophies and awards.
Qureshi had a successful career in junior tennis, finishing no .7 in the world in 1998, which made him Pakistan’s highest-ranked player ever on the international youth tennis arena. While growing up in Lahore he turned professional at the age of eighteen in 1998 A top World no.8 doubles player, his highest singles ranking was no. 125. He is the only Pakistani tennis player to reach the final of a Grand Slam, which he did in 2010, at the US Open, As Pakistan’s No.1, Qureshi has traditionally led Pakistan’s Davis Cup campaigns. After shocking New Zealand in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I second round play-off in 2004 to survive relegation, he took them to the World Group Play-Offs for the first time in 2005, before they were beaten by Chile. The list of Aisam achievements is endless and the most surprising aspect is that he is just getting better and better. He celebrated 300th tour-level win of career during Davis Cup Group I tie in 2018. Aisam won the US Men’s Clay Court Championships doubles title in the 2019 ATP Houston final. Aisam ul Haq alongside Ageel Khan steered Pakistan to humongous win over Slovenia in Davis Cup 2020 tie for World Group 1 Play-offs. Inglot-Qureshi picked up their first ATP Tour doubles title as a team at the New York Open 2020.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi played this sport with a bigger purpose, beyond any prejudice and geographical boundaries. This true sports- man was invited by British House of Commons for a speech 2014.Aisam gave an analogy on the concept of overcoming discrimination and separation of cultures and national identities, John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons lauded Aisam in these words. “He [Aisam] is an outstanding ambassador and role model for young people and for sporting competitors everywhere… His grace, modesty and eloquence are immediately obvious to anyone who meets him”, said the Speaker.
He established ‘Haq Foundation’ and ‘Stop War Start Tennis,’ which promotes peace through tennis and helps victims of war resume an active lifestyle. He is the recipient of Presidents Award for Performance by the Government of Pakistan in 2004, the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award , 3 gold medals at 1st Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia and Salam Pakistan Youth Award by President of Pakistan on 14 August 2007.
Tournament organizing committee of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed National Tennis Championship and Islamabad Tennis Complex is joining the nation in paying tribute to this legend of tennis, who is the true ambassador of this country and the sports around the globe. We wish him more success in the future.
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