ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has decided to press ahead with the schedule of international tennis events, confirming that three back-to-back ITF Junior tournaments, followed by two Futures events will be held in Islamabad as planned, starting April 6 at the PTF/DA Complex.
PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, while talking to The News, made it clear that there will be no deviation from the original calendar, despite regional uncertainties that have impacted other sporting disciplines. The federation is set to host two J-30 and one J-60 events under the umbrella of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). “The communication with the ITF has remained consistent over the past couple of weeks. After assessing the ground realities, the ITF has given us the green signal to proceed,” Qureshi said. “We have already started receiving entries from international players, which is an encouraging sign as we move forward with our preparations.”
The decision comes in contrast to recent developments in other sports, where events have been affected by geopolitical tensions. Notably, the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) was compelled to postpone the Asian Team Championship due to concerns surrounding participation from Middle Eastern countries amid the prevailing situation in the region.
However, tennis appears less impacted, with participation expected from a diverse pool of nations. Players from East Asia, Russia and several European countries are likely to feature in the junior circuit events, ensuring strong international representation.
“The ITF Junior tournaments attract players from across the globe, making it a completely different scenario,” Qureshi added. “We are hopeful of witnessing a healthy turnout, with international players arriving in Islamabad to compete at a high level.” In addition to the junior competitions, the PTF will also stage two men’s Futures events, part of the professional circuit beginning April 26 at the same venue. These tournaments are expected to draw seasoned international players seeking to earn valuable ranking points. “Yes, the two Futures events will also be conducted as per schedule. These were allotted to Pakistan last year, and there will be no changes in dates,” Qureshi confirmed. “All international tennis activities will proceed in line with the programme.”
The ITF, while maintaining close coordination with the PTF, has carried out necessary assessments regarding security and the broader impact of regional tensions before granting approval. With the governing body satisfied over safety arrangements and organisational readiness, Pakistan is now set to host five consecutive international tennis events, marking a significant boost for the sport in the country.
