We often hear about Indian tennis players lacking skill and substance to make it to the main draws of events as big as the Grand Slams.
And well after Leander Paes stopped playing singles in the Majors, the struggle for a substitute continues. But on Friday, when news filtered in that strong Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi from Pakistan made it to the main draw of Wimbledon by winning his final qualifying round at Roehampton, it was good news.
Unlike India, the tennis structure across the border is almost at a nascent stage. They do have a grasscourt nationals and a few ITF events, but nothing like what we have in India as a far as a professional structure goes.
Indians have seen Aisam play in Mumbai twice last year, first when he almost threatened to snatch away the Davis Cup tie from the hosts. The second time was in September when he paired with Leander Paes at the Mumbai ATP Open. And on both instances, Aisam the charmer was a big hit with women.
I have seen Aisam a few times. He is big, serves and volleys well and has a large heart. And had it not been for the fact he plays in a country where the tennis culture is not strong, he would have perhaps done even better.
I have seen Mahesh Bhupathi, the last Indian to qualify for the Big W main draw in 1998. He was then 24 and went on to play a five-setter against Carlos Moya on the showcourts in the main draw first round.
In Aisam’s case, he is 27 -- certainly a late bloomer. His low ATP ranking does not justify his potential. But the reality is, when you compare Indian tennis with Pakistan today, to see someone from across the border in the main draw of Wimbledon is very big.
I doubt if even in the next five years we will have a gentleman (that’s what they call them in the suburbs of London at SW 19) in the main draw of Wimbledon. Aisam had, in fact, paired with Rohan Bopanna at Challenger events in UK three-four years back.
The difference is there for all to see, Aisam in the main draw and Rohan still far behind…
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2 comments:
Sir, u got a point there….esp the last line, but I suppose Rohan has been a bit unlucky, he has been a fighter and lets not forget he has played some good tennis in the past. His match against a certain Dutch player called Martin W. (not sure about his last name) was indeed a memorable one.
But yes the point that Pak tennis is far far behind India is very correct. I remember talking to Asim Shafik from the Pak Davis Cup team touring India last year.
Many would not know that he has been in the playing tennis much before Aisam Qureshi came to the fore and has been a permanent stay in the Pak Davis Cup squad since the last 10 years. But what he said really shook me. “I would never let my kids take up the sport.”
He wasn’t married then but now he is…and I suppose that statement actually summed up the state of affairs of the sport in Pakistan.
Do you think you are a tennis critic? If you hav been followin Wimbledon you would know that Aisam lost in the second round.
What big day r u talking about? I am disappointed.
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