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By Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani lad Asif Abbasi displayed sparkling performance in the International Wheelchair Tennis competitions by winning winning back-to-back nationals fixtures during 2017/18 at the different venues of London, United Kingdom (UK).
Last week, Wheelchair Tennis Series held at Warwick University Indoor Tennis Centre Warwickshire, Abbasi clinched the title of the County Grade III tournament at the Weald club Sussex second times in a row and defended his title successfully by showing excellent skills of the game.
Asif Abbasi put another feather in his cap in 2017 by winning the first ever 1st international wheelchair tennis tournament representing Pakistan at Wrexham indoor tennis centre in October 2017. Also, he became the first ever Pakistani wheelchair tennis player, who represented Pakistan in the history of wheelchair tennis.
He has already enjoyed the success since he started wheelchair tennis in April 2017. Till today he has won 7 Nationals series winner titles and 2 county titles, including National series final in December 2017. He has won the ‘Performance player award’ at the end of the year 2017 award ceremony in Shrewsbury tennis centre.
Abbasi is currently representing Pakistan on his own and in search of recognition from Pakistan Tennis Federation. He reached his best world ranking of 115 after competing in only 5 international tournaments.
He has the ambition to climb up in top 50 within one year. Abbasi said that he was representing Pakistan so he could display the soft image and face of Pakistan at international level and also inspire the new generation of disabled athletes in Pakistan.
Abbasi is also renowned LTA level 3 tennis coach in east London and has produced many best junior players who are now competing regularity at county and national level tournaments.
It is pertinent to mention here that Asif Abbasi also played cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club and was selected for regional talent centre for England D40 cricket team last year 2017. He was trailed for full squad last Year for England Physical Disable’s Cricket team. He is currently playing for Middlesex CCC D40 team and doing level 2 cricket coaching course. He also acquired level 2 in multi sport skills development award in coaching. He achieved level 1 in wheelchair basketball coaching as well.