Pakistan's Aisam to be in Top-100 by Year's End
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

LAHORE: Pakistan’s tennis star, Aisam ul Haq on Monday said his next target is to be among top 100 in worldwide tennis ranking to ensure his participation in Grand Slam Tournaments.

“ Now I have set my sights at achieving a place in top hundred because by doing so I will be having a new beginning in my career getting into most prestigious form of tennis the grand slam tournaments “, he said after his arrival here after putting up record making performance in Wimbledon and ATP ranking tournaments in past three months.

Aisam who reached to warm welcome at airport was profusely garlanded by fans, family members and a lone official of Punjab Lawn Tennis Association and former Pakistan Davis Cup captain, Rasheed Malik.

He said the task ahead of him is uphill but he would be endeavouring to achieve it using his present form and fitness.

“ The more you rise in international ranking the more the competition become tough but I am confident to do better because I am in prime form and fitness of my tennis career “,he asserted.

Aisam’s hard work and outstanding performance will increase his ranking between 150 to 155 in singles in which he was struggling at 488 a few months ago, in double he will be ranking around 125 after being at 300.

“ If I can do that much and make a significant rise in my ranking why not I can achieve ranking among top 100 “,he said.

He said he played back to back tennis in previous months without facing any fitness problems winning singles and doubles titles in ATP ranking tournament besides his history making performance of reaching 2nd round of Wimbledon before starting the tournament as a qualifier.

Aisam said after four days rest he would be leaving for America to feature in US Open qualifying rounds before warming up for the grand event by playing doubles event of ATP Bronx.

“ Then again I will be in action by the end of December playing in China, Malaysia, India, France, Sweden and Russia and coming months are very demanding and I must maintain the same level of fitness and to exhibit prime form to show consistency “,he added.

Aisam urged the Government to patronage tennis to encourage talent for producing good results at international level.

“Now it is the right time to pay attention to tennis which badly needs Governments assistance to expand the base of the game “,he said adding “ It is also the duty of the upcoming players to put in more efforts and to show devotion to do better and to take tennis as sport”.

He said it was unfortunately that Pakistan slipped to Group III of Davis Cup after its record making performance to reach World Group.

“It is my desire to see my country back to highest level of Davis Cup and I will do my best efforts to support my team “, he said. Pakistan will be launching its Group III activities next year in July.●