Aisam ‘misses’ playing at home

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KARACHI: After establishing his credentials in the ATP tournaments, international tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi is looking to increase his domestic presence in Pakistan.
The 33-year-old played his first domestic tournament after 2008 in Lahore last week. He paired up with Aqeel Khan in the doubles event of the Hassan Tariq Rahim Masters Cup Tennis Tournament, which the duo won with ease.
“I miss playing in Pakistan,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “Playing in front of my family and friends was very encouraging. Many people came to watch the match and some of them even kept standing the entire time since there weren’t enough chairs.
“I’ve told the Pakistan Tennis Federation that they should let me know if there is an opportunity to play here.”
Aisam added that he would like the younger players to join him during his training that comprises of a strict schedule from working out to playing matches at the Lahore Gymkhana.
“I’ve told the younger players to join me and I’ll help them. But they would need to work hard. Talent can only take a player so far; it’s the hard work that one needs to put in order to reach a certain level.”
The Lahore-based player revealed that he has stepped up his training routine for the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II tie against Vietnam in February.
“I’m training hard for the Davis Cup tie. It’s going to be very hot and humid in Vietnam which will require me to be physically fit. Aqeel is also playing matches regularly, so we hope we can win the first round. We want to bring Pakistan in group I next year.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2013.