Sports

Aisam not to pair with Bopanna

November 27, 2011

141

Pakistan’s top tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has confirmed he will not be pairing with India’s Rohan Bopanna on the international circuit for the next six months as both want to focus on the London Olympic Games.
“We want to cement our places in the Olympic Games and have decided to play with new partners in the doubles,” Aisam told the media after he returned home.
Aisam will pair up with Jean-Julien Rojer for the Australian Open after Bopanna decided to partner either Mahesh Bhupathi or Leander Paes ahead of the Olympics. The Indo-Pak Express last played together in London where they lost all three World Tour Finals matches.
Aisam had a successful year as he won three ATP titles – including a Thailand Open triumph with Austria’s Oliver Marach – and improved his individual as well as team rankings. Aisam said he was excited not only about his marriage but also about starting up a new partnership next year on the international circuit. “I am excited about both things. Rojer is in the top 20 so I am confident that we can make a good team. I completely respect Bopanna’s decision to change partners.
“He has a good chance at doing well in the Olympics so he will practice with those two until then. I will concentrate on maintaining my rankings to qualify for the Olympics so that I can also take another Pakistani with me to the grand event.”
Earlier, Aisam returned home to a warm welcome from friends, fans and family members.
Aisam became the first Pakistani to participate in the year end ATP Masters Championship, along with partner Rohan Bopanna.
On his arrival, Aisam said that all his efforts are for the country and would keep the country’s flag flying high as long as he could. He will remain in Lahore for three weeks. Their biggest performance of the year, however, came at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris in early November. President of Pakistan Tennis Federation Syed Kaleem Imam, Secretary PTF Mumtaz Yousaf and all other officials and players congratulated Aisamul Haq Qureshi on his successes.