Find fresh talent to save tennis, Aqeel urges PTF
Pakistan’s longest serving No 1 tennis player Aqeel Khan has foreseen Pakistan tennis future grim under present circumstances and suggested the PTF to find fresh talent to save tennis here.
Pakistan’s longest serving No 1 tennis player Aqeel Khan has foreseen Pakistan tennis future grim under present circumstances and suggested the PTF to find fresh talent to save tennis here.
Talking to The Nation, Aqeel said: “It was very tough Davis Cup Group-I Asia-Oceania tie against the mighty Chinese, as they had the services of world’s top 200 raked players. On the other hand, we didn’t have a single ITF ranking point and had the only international star in shape of Aisamul Haq, who had the extra pressure of being the playing captain. Pakistan tennis could survive for another year or two, and after that, we both have to stop playing singles and will only focus on playing doubles in Davis Cup matches.”
Aqeel said lamented on not hosting the Pak-China Davis Cup tie at home and said: “Let me confirm all one thing, we managed to take out Chinese from their comfort zone as in Colombo, their players were struggling to get used to conditions, heat and clay courts. Had the tie played in China, the results could have been far worst.” When asked why Samir and Abid Ali Akbar not joined the Davis Cup squad, Aqeel replied: “Samir got injured while playing in the tournament in the USA and Abid, as per my information, was coming to join the team, but he fell ill at the 11th hour and withdrew. Our back up was not as good as it could have been, had Samir and Abid Ali were available, the results could have been far better.”
About Pakistan’s Davis Cup next assignment, Aqeel said: “We have to face another big test in Davis Cup Group-I against strong New Zealand at their own backyard in September. Beating New Zealand in New Zealand is a very tough nut to crack. There is every possibility we may lose the match, as Kiwi players are top professionals and play regular tennis around the year and the defeat will result in Pakistan dropping to Group-II.
“but there is a good news as well as we will play majority of our matches in Pakistan which will help us winning most of the ties and move back to Group-I next time around,” he added.
Aqeel said he really felt for Pakistan prospects in the coming years. “We can’t take advantage of home ties, as we don’t have the backup. The grass courts suit our style of play, but it doesn’t mean we are unbeatable on grass courts and other teams are weak. I have played more than 80 percent of my tennis on hard courts and clay courts, while the remaining 20 percent on grass courts, but I know the grass courts and can play as good on slow courts as well.”
He feared that the country might further drop and could play in Group-III after 2008. “When we dropped to Group-III and top our group in Iran, I feel next 5 to 10 years are very important as far as Pakistan tennis is concerned. Hunting fresh blood is need of the hour and we have to work very hard for this. Giving international exposure our youngsters can help us doing well in Davis Cup matches, or else, forget about producing wonders.”
“Aisam and I have been playing for Pakistan for almost 15 years and we time and again have urged the PTF to find fresh talent. Time is running out fast and we don’t have many options left. I pray Aisam and me may play for Pakistan for a few more years, but no one can rule out age factor, which is not in our favour. We can still play in doubles for another couple of years and can win points for Pakistan but for better Pakistan tennis future, finding fresh and promising talent must be top priority of the PTF,” Aqeel concluded.
(Source: The Nation)
Talking to The Nation, Aqeel said: “It was very tough Davis Cup Group-I Asia-Oceania tie against the mighty Chinese, as they had the services of world’s top 200 raked players. On the other hand, we didn’t have a single ITF ranking point and had the only international star in shape of Aisamul Haq, who had the extra pressure of being the playing captain. Pakistan tennis could survive for another year or two, and after that, we both have to stop playing singles and will only focus on playing doubles in Davis Cup matches.”
Aqeel said lamented on not hosting the Pak-China Davis Cup tie at home and said: “Let me confirm all one thing, we managed to take out Chinese from their comfort zone as in Colombo, their players were struggling to get used to conditions, heat and clay courts. Had the tie played in China, the results could have been far worst.” When asked why Samir and Abid Ali Akbar not joined the Davis Cup squad, Aqeel replied: “Samir got injured while playing in the tournament in the USA and Abid, as per my information, was coming to join the team, but he fell ill at the 11th hour and withdrew. Our back up was not as good as it could have been, had Samir and Abid Ali were available, the results could have been far better.”
About Pakistan’s Davis Cup next assignment, Aqeel said: “We have to face another big test in Davis Cup Group-I against strong New Zealand at their own backyard in September. Beating New Zealand in New Zealand is a very tough nut to crack. There is every possibility we may lose the match, as Kiwi players are top professionals and play regular tennis around the year and the defeat will result in Pakistan dropping to Group-II.
“but there is a good news as well as we will play majority of our matches in Pakistan which will help us winning most of the ties and move back to Group-I next time around,” he added.
Aqeel said he really felt for Pakistan prospects in the coming years. “We can’t take advantage of home ties, as we don’t have the backup. The grass courts suit our style of play, but it doesn’t mean we are unbeatable on grass courts and other teams are weak. I have played more than 80 percent of my tennis on hard courts and clay courts, while the remaining 20 percent on grass courts, but I know the grass courts and can play as good on slow courts as well.”
He feared that the country might further drop and could play in Group-III after 2008. “When we dropped to Group-III and top our group in Iran, I feel next 5 to 10 years are very important as far as Pakistan tennis is concerned. Hunting fresh blood is need of the hour and we have to work very hard for this. Giving international exposure our youngsters can help us doing well in Davis Cup matches, or else, forget about producing wonders.”
“Aisam and I have been playing for Pakistan for almost 15 years and we time and again have urged the PTF to find fresh talent. Time is running out fast and we don’t have many options left. I pray Aisam and me may play for Pakistan for a few more years, but no one can rule out age factor, which is not in our favour. We can still play in doubles for another couple of years and can win points for Pakistan but for better Pakistan tennis future, finding fresh and promising talent must be top priority of the PTF,” Aqeel concluded.
(Source: The Nation)
