ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to host the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, for the very first time, with ten of Asia’s leading nations scheduled to compete.
The announcement was made by Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi during a media briefing at a local hotel on Monday. He revealed that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has awarded Pakistan the hosting rights, with the competition set to begin on October 19.
“This is a matter of great pride for Pakistan. Never before have we hosted such a large number of international teams in a tennis event. Fans will witness top women players from across Asia in action on our soil,” Aisam said.
Accompanied by PTF Secretary Ziauddin Tufail, Aisam also paid rich tributes to Pakistan’s rising tennis stars for their recent historic achievements. He praised Muhammad Shoaib for clinching the singles title, while the duo of Muzammil Murtaza and Abid Ali secured the doubles crown.
“For the first time in our history, Pakistan has won both singles and doubles titles at an ITF Futures event. These players have created history,” he remarked.
In a significant move to further develop the country’s emerging talent, Aisam announced that Shoaib and his fellow players will be sent to the United States for a two-month training and competition stint. Muzammil Murtaza, meanwhile, will be supported for a training tour in South Africa.
“These players are the future of Pakistan tennis. We must invest in them and provide opportunities to compete against top-level international players to sharpen their skills,” he added.
Aisam also expressed optimism about the future of tennis in the country, highlighting the federation’s plans to continue organising international events to support young players.
“The most encouraging sign is that Pakistani players have been winning events at home. It reflects a positive trend and shows that Pakistan tennis is moving in the right direction,” he said.
The PTF President expressed deep appreciation for the sponsors who played a pivotal role in the successful of the ITF Futures events. “I am grateful to all the sponsors whose support made these international tournaments possible,” he said, adding that such collaborations are vital for the growth of tennis in Pakistan.
Emphasising the broader impact of the sport, Aisam noted that tennis is serving as a powerful tool to promote Pakistan’s soft image worldwide. “We are highlighting the soft image of Pakistan through tennis. Foreign players are leaving with good memories, and that is our success,” he remarked. “We are a country that makes friends, and through sports, we are playing our role as peace ambassadors.”
In another historic development, Aisam revealed that eight Pakistani players have broken new ground by entering the ATP rankings for the first time, an achievement he described as a major milestone in the country’s tennis history.
Aisam shared that the much-anticipated visit of former world champion Bjorn Borg had been postponed due to unavoidable reasons. However, he assured that the tennis legend is expected to visit Pakistan soon, which would further boost the sport’s profile in the country.
