The Hindu : Sport : Taking the sport beyond borders

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007
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Sport

Sport

Taking the sport beyond borders

Nandakumar Marar

— File photo

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.

MUMBAI: Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi’s understanding with Rohan Bopanna helped the pair make it to the doubles final of the Kingfisher Airlines Open.

The on-court rapport between Qureshi and Bopanna was evident in their body language.

“Mumbai fans support me a lot. We tried to get the crowd behind us. A few mistakes in the tie-breakers made the difference,” said Qureshi, a day after playing his career first ATP final. “I thank Rohan (Bopanna) for the opportunity and am proud of our partnership.” The first Pakistan player to qualify for an ATP event final, Qureshi is upbeat about the interest for the game back home. “People in Pakistan are reading about me due to the success we have had together. Now fans are even getting to see ATP matches on television,” he said. The Mumbai Open too was telecast live on ESPN-Star Sports.

Eyeing singles

The pair won four Challengers in 2007 (Manchester, Bronx, Segovia, Nottingham) and count the feat of finishing runner-up in the Mumbai Open as a major milestone.

“We would like to play more events as a team, but are looking at tournaments where we can play singles as well,” said Bopanna, ranked 86th in the Stanford ATP doubles list; Qureshi is at 108.

Qureshi is clear about the reasons for an on-court India-Pakistan bonding.

“Friendship is kept aside when we are playing opposite each other,” said the Pakistani, citing the 2006 Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group tie at the CCI as an example when Qureshi beat Bopanna in the opening singles. “Rohan and I get along well because of our similar nature. Neither of us is a fussy person and we are down to earth.”

He is forthright about the general perception that emotions run high in all India-Pakistan sporting encounters. “Sport teaches you a lot of things. I have always maintained that sport should be kept away from politics and religious issues,” said the Pakistani tennis pro.

Asked whether increasing the frequency of sporting contests between the two countries was a way out to reduce the negatives and develop mutual respect, Qureshi said: “The more we play each other, the better the chance of friendship between players.

If you ask a Pakistan player to name his best friend on the circuit, chances are that he will name an Indian.”

Popular with fans

The Pakistani is respected in India for his achievements and is popular with fans for his powerful and stylish play.

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