| Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi was born on March 17, 1980, in Lahore. He is a professional tennis player representing Pakistan in major international tennis events. Like other pakistani boys, Aisam used to play cricket and soccer in his school. Along with that he started playing tennis as a hobby. It all started when he was 14 years old when his mother took him to the tennis club and they used to play with each other. "I never thought I would be a professional tennis player when I started", says Aisam When he turned to 16, he got into the ITF team which sponsored him for two years. This was the turning point of his life. Later on, he had a successful junior career he managed to get to No.7 (in juniors). In 1998, Aisamul haq became world number 11 player in junior tennis. This achievement made him Pakistan's highest-ranked tennis player. By the time he had defeated several world junior champions including Andy Roddick (American), Taylor Dent (American), Artem Derepaasco, Simon Dickson (British), Oliver Rochus and Nathan Healy (Australian). After that, he mostly played Pakistan Davis Cup team and ATP tournaments and began appearing ITF tournaments all over the world. After winning plenty of titles, Aisam jumped to top 200 players of the world in men's single and was counted in top 100 in doubles. In 2002, Aisam played with Israel's Amir Hadad in Wimbledon as well as in US Open. They got eliminated in the 3rd and 2nd round of wimbledon and US open respectively. In 2007, Aisam became the third tennis player of Pakistan to qualify for the Wimbledon. Khwaja Saeed Hai was the first man to represent Pakistan at Wimbledon singles in 1954, 1955 and 1956. Then it was Haroon Rahim who played at Wimbledon in 1976. Aisam is not the only Tennis player in his family. His mother Mrs Nausheen Ehtesham was also a tennis player winning Pakistan's several ladies single titles in 1982. She has also represented Pakistan in the Fed Cup, which is women’s version of the Davis Cup. Her father Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad was also a tennis player who represented both Pakistan as well as India in Davis Cup. In response to the question asked in an interview about his entry into the Tennis, Aisam said, "Tennis is in my blood". It would not be wrong to say that Aisam inherited Tennis from his ancestors.
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Pakistan Number 1 In NZ
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He is Playing in NZ , representing Pakistan in Davis cup tournament
he will be plying i town of Hawera in NZ , on friday , saturday and Sunday
Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and India's Rohan Bopanna are aiming to play an extraordinary tennis match to promote peace between the two countries -- using the famous Wagah border as the net.
The duo were knocked out of the Wimbledon's men's doubles quarter-finals here on Wednesday -- their best-ever Grand Slam performance -- but caused a stir by wearing jackets emblazoned with the slogan 'Stop War, Start Tennis'.
The pair will be wearing the tracksuit tops when they play at the US Open and are mulling over a new logo to decorate them with in New York.
And now they are seeking permission to face each other with the net on the Radcliffe Line that has divided the village of Wagah since 1947, with Qureshi playing on the Indian side and Bopanna on the Pakistani side.
"It is an idea we have had but there is a lot of time before we get to it because both countries have to approve it first and that is the process that is going on," Bopanna told AFP.
"The idea is there for him to play in India and me to play in Pakistan.
"That is the idea but it needs to be approved and until that happens nothing can be done."
Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan. Every evening, thousands gather to watch the colourful flag-lowering ceremonies there and the energetic soldiers' parade.
The border post is often seen as a symbol of the tension between the two countries.
But Bopanna and Qureshi hope their continuing friendship, on and off the tennis court, will help encourage a more peaceful relationship between the neighbours.
"The first time I went to India I was 16 and Rohan was their top junior," Qureshi said.
"I have played with a lot of Indians before but there are no Pakistanis on the tour and India is definitely the closest to Pakistan and he has been my best friend on the tour.
"We share the same language, we share the same culture and concepts so it makes life much easier on the road.
"In the beginning we didn't realise the importance of our relationship and partnership.
"But we realised that looking at the bigger picture, if we could send a positive message to the people in Pakistan and in India then it is a really good thing.
"We have had three wars against each other. We used to be one country but we got separated -- there are still a lot of diplomatic tensions but at the end of the day on either side the people are very, very friendly and loving.
"Every time I have gone to India I have been treated with respect and people really like me there.
"It has been a great experience every time I go there and the message is not to bring politics, culture and religion into sports.
"That is what we are trying to give out to the people. If we can both get along well then I am sure a lot of other Pakistanis and Indians can get along as well. If we can change a few people's minds it is a very positive thing.
"Here you could see Indian and Pakistani people sitting together supporting one team. It is a nice thing to see."
NEW YORK: Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi set another precedent in the tennis history of Pakistan when he reached the final of the mixed doubles at the US Open for the first time in New York.
Qureshi, who has teamed up with Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic, reached the final after defeating Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany and Mark Knowles of the Bahamas by 7-6 6-7.
Qureshi is first Pakistani to qualify for the final of any Grand Slam competition.
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