Aisam hopes for a medal in Delhi

Following his US Open heroics, Pakistan’s top-ranked tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi has vowed to ensure a repeat performance as he left for New Delhi yesterday with Aqeel Khan to represent Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games.

Qureshi, who reached the finals of the mixed doubles and men’s doubles at Flushing Meadows, was involved in a training camp in Lahore with Aqeel and Pakistan’s tennis captain and coach for the Games Mohammad Khalid after his return from New York.

“The Commonwealth Games won’t be easy despite my individual performance of late,” Qureshi told The Express Tribune. “There are teams from all over the world and they’re sending four players instead of two so they have an advantage.

“Obviously after being recognised for my US Open performance, the expectations are really high and I’d ensure that they are met and I perform on the same level as I have been.”

Aqeel, who has been Qureshi’s Davis Cup partner for 12 years, acknowledged the help Pakistan’s number one provides in the absence of tough competition at home and hoped for a favourable draw in order to progress to the finals of the event.

“We have a lot of understanding and that’s come because of us playing together for a number of years,” said Aqeel. “He’s been playing international tournaments and his pace helps us get accustomed to what we’d expect abroad. We’re hoping for a good draw that’ll help us progress but if you want to win a medal or a tournament, you need to beat the best out there.”

Qureshi also ruled out fatigue as a factor that could hamper Pakistan’s chances of a medal despite being on tour for most of the year. Following his long Europe tour, Qureshi was involved in Pakistan’s relocated Davis Cup tie in New Zealand before flying out to the US for the Pan Pacific tournament as well as the US Open.

“The travels are part of being a professional tennis player. I have a slight disadvantage because being a Pakistani, the tournaments are held away from the country and that makes things a lot difficult. However, as a player you need to learn how to deal with it.”

© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3, 2010