*Abid and Muzammil clinch doubles title at M-15 Islamabad

By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan’s rising star Muhammad Shoaib has reached the final of the Flair Travel ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) Islamabad – becoming the first Pakistani in 20 years to achieve this remarkable feat in an ITF Futures event.

In a dominant semifinal, Shoaib outclassed China’s Fenming Meng with an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 victory. Displaying exceptional skill, confidence, and composure, Shoaib thrilled the home crowd and marched into the final in style, marking a proud moment for Pakistan tennis.

Adding to the celebrations, Pakistan’s duo Muhammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar and Muzammil Murtaza captured the doubles title after 9 years in an exciting all-Pakistani final. They defeated the experienced pair of Aqeel Khan and Barkatullah with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 10-7 to clinch the championship. Their victory highlights the growing depth and strength of Pakistan’s doubles circuit.

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President PTF, along with Col.Zia-ud-din Tufail -Secretary General and the entire PTF management, congratulated Shoaib, Abid, and Muzammil on their outstanding achievements.

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, said: “This is a truly historic and proud moment for Pakistan tennis. Seeing a Pakistani player reach an ITF Futures final after 30 years is something very special, not just for the player but for the entire nation. We are proud to be hosting international tournaments in Pakistan, and it is extremely encouraging to witness our players rising to the occasion and delivering outstanding performances on home soil.

He further elaborated on the vision behind hosting international events: The core idea of bringing international tournaments to Pakistan is to provide our players with the opportunity to compete at home, gain valuable ATP ranking points, and smoothly transition into the professional ATP circuit. It is very satisfying to see that this vision is now becoming a reality, as our players are performing impressively and steadily improving their rankings.

The PTF president also praised the doubles champions, adding: The doubles title victory by Abid and Muzammil is a great honour for Pakistan. Their success is a reflection of their dedication, teamwork, and the continuous hard work being put in by our players.

Expressing his satisfaction over the overall standard of play in Leg-1, he concluded: We remain fully committed to organizing more international tournaments in Pakistan.

With increased exposure, competitive opportunities, and the right support system, our players will continue to grow, gain confidence, and achieve even greater success on the international stage in the years to come.

On the second Semifinal, Nikita Ianin (RUS) bt Arvid Nordquist (SWE) 6-4, 6-4. The men’s singles final will be played on 3rd May 2026, between Muhammad Shaoib (PAK) and Nikita Ianin (RUS) at 12 PM.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Tennis Federation has announced that legendary tennis icon Björn Borg will visit Pakistan during the upcoming ITF Men’s Futures Tournament series, scheduled from April 26 to May 10, 2026, at the PTF Tennis Complex.

The prestigious event is expected to feature over 200 international players, making it one of the most prominent tennis tournaments ever hosted in the country. Björn Borg, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history, dominated the sport in the late 1970s and early 1980s. A former world No. 1 for 109 weeks,

he captured 11 Grand Slam titles, including six French Open and five consecutive Wimbledon crowns. His visit is being seen as a landmark moment for Pakistan’s tennis community.

According to officials, Borg will be accompanied by his family, and his presence is expected to inspire young players while enhancing Pakistan’s image as a growing hub for international sports.

PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi termed the visit a significant milestone, saying that the PTF is committed to promoting tennis and projecting a positive image of Pakistan globally.

He noted that the increasing presence of international sports personalities reflects confidence in Pakistan as a safe and welcoming destination for global sporting events.

ISLAMABAD ; Mr. Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, inaugurated the newly constructed Padel and Mini Tennis Courts at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Islamabad. He was accompanied by Mr. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan commended the efforts of the PTF and its leadership, stating that “Tennis is flourishing in Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.

The Government of Pakistan and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme fully support Mr. Aisam’s vision for the growth and development of tennis in the country.”

Mr. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the PTF, expressed his gratitude to Mr. Rana Mashood for gracing the event and inaugurating the new facilities. He highlighted that the newly built courts will serve dual purposes — as padel tennis courts and as mini tennis courts for children.

“These courts will play a vital role in introducing tennis to young kids at an early age, encouraging their interest and participation in the sport. This approach is being successfully implemented around the world, and we are proud to bring it to Pakistan,” he added.

The inauguration ceremony was attended Mr.Rashid Malik former Davis Cupper, Major Suleman Junaid SEVP-PTF, Mr.Rehan Munir Malik,Col.Gul Rehman Director C&S -PTF ,national players, foreign players, coaches, parents, media representatives, and PTF officials in large numbers. The event marked a significant step forward in promoting grassroots tennis development in Pakistan.

Aisam’s vision transforms PTF facilities, wins praise from tennis circles: Kh Suhail

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Senior Vice President ‘Khawaja Suhail Iftikhar’ has said that the PTF has taken a significant step towards improving player facilities by establishing a state-of-the-art gymnasium, high-quality cafeteria, and dedicated accommodation for outstation players at the Dilawar Abbas Tennis Complex, Islamabad.

In a statement, Kh Suhail said that this initiative, spearheaded by PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, has been widely praised by tennis players and sports circles across the country, marking a transformative phase for Pakistan’s tennis infrastructure.

The newly built gymnasium, covering 1,500 square feet, is equipped with modern fitness machines, including leg press, leg curl, leg extension, cable cross, and spin bikes, providing athletes with essential strength and conditioning resources. Additionally, 10 rooms for male players and three for female players have been established within the complex, offering much-needed residential facilities for outstation athletes.

The PTF Senior Vice President highlighted another major development that is PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, leveraging his personal connections,

has secured the services of internationally renowned coach and trainer Robert Davis (USA) and Serbian fitness expert Lalovic. These experts conducted two-week intensive training sessions at the complex, significantly benefiting aspiring players.

Terming these initiatives as ‘a splendid step towards grassroots tennis development’, Khawaja Suhail expressed confidence that these improvements will play a pivotal role in nurturing young talent and enhancing the competitive edge of Pakistani players at the international level.