Tennis - National
PTF - ITA Islamabad Super Cup -2020
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
ISLAMABAD (October 1, 2020):-The qualifying round of the PTF – ITA Islamabad Super Cup 2020 started on Thursday here at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Complex, the main round will kick off on Friday at same venue.
PTF is the first federation which is organizing a national event following a long break owing to covid-19. On this occasion President PTF, Salim Saifullah stated that more events would also be held in the near future as well. He also appreciated the efforts of the PTF and ITA management for joining hands in organizing the subject event.
Two qualifying matches were played on the opening day in the Men’s category between Pakistan No. 7 and 8 against the wild cards Barkatullah and Mohammad Shoaib.
The opening ceremony of the PTF -ITA Islamabad Super Cup will be held on Friday at 11 AM. Tariq Murtaza President Islamabad Tennis Association and Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority will grace the occasion as a chief guest.
It is pertinent to note that due to COVID-19; only participating players, parents and coaches will be allowed to witness the subject event.
Results:
Men’s Singles Qualifying Matches:
Barkatullah beat Yousaf 6-7(7), 7-5, 7-6(3).
Ahmed Choudhry beat Mohammad Shoaib 7-5, 6-4
Following are the matches will be played tomorrow:
Men’s Singles Main Draw:
Aqeel Khan vs. Mudassir Murtaza, Ahmed Chaudhary vs. Heera Ashiq, Shahzad Khan vs. Muhammad Abid, Barkatullah vs. Muzammil Murtaza
Junior’s Singles Main Draw:
Faizan Fayyaz Khan vs. Zalan Khan, Nalain Abbas vs. M. Huzaifa Khan, Sami Zeb vs. Aqib Hayat, Subhan Salik vs. Hamid Israr
ITF-approved Officiating Workshop commences from September 18
SPORTS REPORT
ISLAMABAD (September 17, 2020):-A three-day ITF-approved Officiating workshop will start from September 18, 2020 at PTF-Complex Islamabad under the banner of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF). Shahzad Akhtar Alvi, Head of Officiating-PTF, will be conducting the workshop. Candidates from Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar will participate in this workshop.
It is hoped that the workshop will be beneficial not only for the participants but also go a long way in enhancing the technical expertise of our officials, which is extremely important for the overall development of the game in Pakistan. It is pertinent to mention that this will be the first ITF-approved event being organized in Pakistan since the COVID-19 outbreak halted sports activities in Pakistan and worldwide as well.
Aisam inaugurates the PTF Tree Plantation drive
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
ISLAMABAD (August 13, 2020):-Ace tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi inaugurate the Tree Plantation drive of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) after planting tree at PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Thursday.
This drive is part of “Clean and Green Pakistan” campaign started by the Government of Pakistan on the eve of the Independence Day August 14, 2020, on the directive of the President PTF Salim Saifullah Khan.
The Tree plantation drive was started by Aisam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s top International player. Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan, Pakistan number two Muzammil Murtaza, Mohammad Shoaib, Mahin Aftab, Hamid Israr and former Davis Cup player Asim Shafik, along with PTF Management and officials planted trees at PTF Tennis Complex.
Aisam-ul-Haq is currently in Islamabad for his preparation for the upcoming US Open Grand Slam tournament. He will be staying and practicing for a week at PTF Complex with Aqeel Khan and other top national players training at National Tennis Center (NTC).
Salim Saifullah Khan President Pakistan Tennis Federation and Executive Committee welcomed Aisam-ul-Haq and other players and considered it to be a great omen for Pakistan tennis that after the COVID-19 pandemic relaxation by the government, all the top players have resumed their tennis activities.
ITF POSTPONES DAVIS CUP 2020 FINALS
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMBAD (June 27, 2020):-Kosmos Tennis and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have announced the 2020 Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals will be postponed until 2021. The Finals will now take place in Madrid in the week commencing 22 November 2021.
The decision to postpone the event comes following a three-month review of the considerable logistical and regulatory challenges that have arisen as a result of the pandemic and all potential hosting scenarios with the health and safety of all involved of paramount importance.
The Davis Cup Finals are the pinnacle of the largest men’s global team competition in tennis and were set to see the world’s best 18 national teams competing for the Davis Cup world championship title over one week in Madrid from 23 to 29 November 2020. The event was due to host more than 90 athletes with significant support teams, as well as thousands of fans, officials, staff, partners and other stakeholders travelling from countries across the world, each at a different stage in dealing with the pandemic. The challenges in hosting a mass gathering of this size on an international scale at an indoor venue are considerable due to the pandemic, both in the current and the anticipated climate.
Gerard Pique, Kosmos Tennis President said: “It’s a huge disappointment for all of us that the Davis Cup Finals will not be held in 2020. We don’t know how the situation will develop in each qualified nation, or if restrictions in Spain will remain sufficiently eased, as such it is impossible to predict the situation in November and guarantee the safety of those travelling to Madrid. This postponement has no long-term bearing on our collective ambitions for the Davis Cup. The ITF and Kosmos Tennis look forward to delivering an outstanding competition in 2021, when it is safe and feasible to do so.”
David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “This is a tough decision to have to make, but delivering an international team event on this scale while guaranteeing the health and safety of all involved ultimately poses too great a risk. It is a complex undertaking and we have made the decision now to provide certainty for players, National Associations and fans. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Kosmos Tennis in order to deliver a fantastic competition next year”.
Host partners, the City of Madrid and the Region of Madrid, have expressed their support for the decision to postpone until 2021.
In addition, the ITF Board has announced that the 24 home-and-away World Group I and World Group II ties involving 48 national teams due to be played in September this year will be postponed until 2021, with ties to be played in either March or September. The 2020 regional Group III and IV events, in which 76 national teams are entered, are also postponed until 2021. The ITF will work with the hosts of these ties and events in order to ensure a safe environment in which they can be played next year.
ITF World Tennis Tour events to resume in August
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
ISLAMABAD (June 18, 2020):-The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced on Thursday that ITF World Tennis Tour would be resumed in August 2020, as the women’s events would kick off from August 3 while the men’s events from August 17. The both fixtures will include singles qualifying, main draw singles and doubles rounds. The announcements was made by the ATP, WTA, USTA and FFT regarding the resumption of the tours and the staging of the US Open and Roland Garros.
ITF is currently finalizing a provisional calendar of ITF World Tennis Tour events. ITF officials are keen to see as many tournaments scheduled as possible in order to maximize playing opportunities for athletes around the world, we want to ensure the health and safety of the athletes. The decision for an event to be held will remain at the discretion of individual tournaments to determine if it is feasible for their event to go ahead, and with the appropriate health, safety and integrity infrastructure in place. Tournaments will be played without spectators, unless local or national government regulations explicitly permit fans to attend sporting events.
As with the ATP and WTA provisional calendars, the ITF World Tennis Tour calendar is subject to change. The ITF expects that approximately 80 per cent of ITF World Tennis Tour events that would normally have been scheduled during the August-September period will be played this year and anticipates that more nations will apply to host tournaments as restrictions ease in those countries. Ranking points have been frozen since 16 March 2020. The ITF continues to discuss with the ATP and WTA Tours the most appropriate and fair reintroduction of ranking points across World Tennis Tour events.
At this stage, the planned resumption of international competition relates only to the men’s and women’s ITF World Tennis Tour. The ITF is mindful that players competing on the junior tennis, senior tennis, wheelchair tennis and beach tennis tours want to resume international competition as soon as possible, and further updates will be provided regarding these tours in due course.
David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for our sport and, while acknowledging that there will still be challenges ahead, we are pleased that international tour competition will be able to resume in August. Restoring earning opportunities for athletes at the earliest possible opportunity – in a manner which protects the health and safety of all involved – has been a priority throughout this period.
“The sport has come together to support players financially during the pandemic and we will continue to work with our partners from across the tennis world – the tours, the Grand Slams and our 210 member National Associations – as we aim to safely resume international competition.”
Stuart Miller, ITF Senior Executive Director for Integrity & Development, added: “While tennis can be played in a socially-distanced fashion, it is important that tournaments resume with the correct health, safety and integrity infrastructure. We will work with the National Associations that are hosting events, in order to ensure that they have the correct measures in place.”
Aisam-ul-Haq plans to set-up an international standard Tennis Academy
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
ISLAMABAD (May 17, 2020):-Ace national tennis player, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has said that he would set-up an international standard tennis academy in the capital city Islamabad after saying goodbye to international tennis circuit
While talking to this scribe at National Press Club (NPC) after a ceremony, he said that he wanted to produce a top player, who could fill his shoes after his retirement. “Yes, I am planning to start a tennis academy in the capital city that has international standard tennis facilities, aiming to give polish the talent a grass root level. Syed Dilawar Tennis Complex is good arena for tennis. I will coach teens and will try to produce a good player for the country, “he replied a question.
To another question, Aisam-ul-Haq said that he was very disappointed when India had refused to visit Pakistan for Davis Cup Tie. “Pakistan has unique tennis facilities and on that time there was not as such security issue in the country and international sports events were going on in the county but they refused to play Davis Cup fixture at the soil of Pakistan. However, I am willing to resume the mutual ties in all sports including tennis, “he viewed.
“In past, when Late Syed Dilawar Abbas was the head of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), the bilateral tennis series between both countries were arranged, as that was better for the upcoming players of the both nations. Now, a lot of politics has been involved in the sports of India and Pakistan and all sports events have been halted. However, as a player I wish to resume the sports again between the both countries, “he concluded.
PTF announces cash awards for Davis Cup Tie winning team
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 14, 2020):-President, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Salim Saifullah Khan on Saturday announced cash award for the national tennis team that won the Davis Cup Tennis Tie against Slovenia 3-0 last week at the grass courts of Pakistan Sports Complex.
According to an official of PTF, federation will be rewarding Aisam Qureshi with $5,000, Aqeel Khan $3,000, and $1,000 each to the other team members, Muzammil Murtaza, Mohammad Abid and Heera Ashiq, as well as the non-playing Captain, Mushaf Zia.
President PTF said, “With our international star Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, and nationally ranked number 1 player Aqeel Khan, having literally clinched the tie between them, with a singles win each, and pairing to be victorious in the doubles”.
In his announcement message Salim further said: "It's a matter of great delight and pride for me, the PTF, and surely the whole nation, on the win and the manner in which Aisam and Aqeel snatched victory from players with much higher world rankings, “he said.
Adding, he said "I must take this opportunity to remind the government to appreciate the huge importance of a victory against the European country, something that totally surprised the international tennis community. The government must urgently attend to the matter and give the team much deserved cash rewards. Athletes that keep our flag flying high must be recognized at all levels, to keep their morale high and to continue their efforts to train even harder."
In the draws held on Friday by the ITF, Pakistan will now host Japan, in another home tie, in September this year.
Davis Cup Tennis Tie: Heavy rain – No Tennis
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 6, 2020):-Owing to inclement weather in the capital city Islamabad, International Tennis Federation (ITF) Referee Tom Kinloch has decided to call off Friday (today) matches of the World Group I Davis Cup Tennis Tie between Pakistan and Slovenia.
According to scheduled the matches were being played at the grass courts of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). However, the rain in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad did not allow organizers to stage the tie. It is pertinent to mention here that rain may hit the second day too, as the weather forecast is not in favour of game.
ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis: Mohammad Shoaib wins title
By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-Top seed Mohammad Shoaib annexed the Boys Singles Title of Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial ITF Pakistan Junior Tennis Championship after beating Ayar Goklap from Turkay 2-1 in a thrilling well contested three sets match at S.Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Sunday.
In the first set, Ayar built up the lead 3-1 by breaking 4th game of Shoaib in which he hit two double faults, as the Shoaib leveled the score 3-3all by breaking 7th game of Ayar. The score went up to 5-5 all as both the players hold their respective serves; at this stage Ayer hold his serve with the help of two aces and claimed the winning lead 6-5 and won the first set 7-5 by breaking last game of Shoaib at 0-40.
Meanwhile, in the second set, Ayer kept the same pressure and got the winning lead 3-1 by breaking 2nd game of Shoaib. At this stage Shoaib change the game plan and start long rallies from the base line and level the score 3-3 all by breaking 5th game of Ayar and won the second set at 6-4 breaking 7th game of Ayar and level the match 1-1 set all. Shoaib was in excellent form in the final set and took the lead 4-0 by breaking 1st and 3rd game of Ayar, at this moment Ayar reduced the lead 3-4 by breaking 8th game of Shaoib by changing the pace of game. Shoaib did not allow his opponent to change the pace and won the final set at 6-4. Both the players displayed excellent game of tennis which was appreciated and witnessed by tennis lovers. The match lasted 1 hour 53 minutes and was chaired by Husnain Mehmood.
Islamabad Tennis Association organized the two ITF J5 Pakistan World Ranking Tennis tournament back to back and the second tournament was in the memory of Late Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas, who played vital role for the promotion of game of tennis in the country. He remained President/Patron of PTF, Lifetime Sr. Vice President of Asian Tennis Federation, and Hon. Lifetime Patron Islamabad Tennis Association, he was also member of ITF Constitutional Committee.
As many as 27 boys and 15 girls from 18 countries Greece, Hong Kong, Austria, Russia, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, Romania, Nepal, China, Iran, Tunaisa, Kazakhstan, USA, Malaysia , Korea, Sri Lanka and host Pakistan participated in the Championships.
Akber Durrani Secretary Information and Broadcasting graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed the trophies among the winner and runner-up of boys singles. Salim Saifullah Khan President Pakistan Tennis Federation, Col. Gul Rehman Secretary PTF also enjoyed the Singles final.
Slovenian tennis players arrive Islamabad for Davis Cup Tie
Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD (March 1, 2020):-The Slovenian tennis team arrived here on Sunday for Davis Cup Tie fixture against hosts Pakistan.
According to Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Slovenian Davis Cup Team arrived in Islamabad today (1st March, 2020). The Slovenian Team was received by the PTF Secretary Col. Gul Rehman(R) and Liaison Officer Imran Sheikh at the Islamabad Airport and was provided the entire protocol and security umbrella. The Serena Hotel Management also received them with traditional hospitality and courtesies. The Slovenian team visited the venue of Davis Cup tie at Pakistan Sports Complex.
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