Islamabad, November 29,2025: Pakistan’s most accomplished tennis star, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, officially bid farewell to professional tennis on Saturday at the Islamabad Tennis Complex, capping a legendary career that spanned more than 20 years.
The 44-year-old played his final match in the doubles final of the Islamabad ATP Challenger alongside partner Muzammil Murtaza. The Pakistani duo were defeated by Dominik Palan of the Czech Republic and Denis Yevseyev of Kazakhstan.
A day earlier, Aisam and Murtaza had made history by becoming the first all-Pakistani pair to reach the final of any ATP event, a breakthrough widely celebrated across the country. While the pair were unable to lift the trophy, the moment marked a fitting and emotional end to an era for Pakistani tennis.
Born in Lahore to former national tennis player Nosheen Ihtsham, Aisam embraced tennis at age 12, turning away from early pursuits in cricket and swimming. Over the next decades, he rose to become Pakistan’s most decorated professional tennis player, holding national Davis Cup records for singles, doubles and overall victories.
His global breakthrough arrived in 2010 when he reached both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles finals at the US Open, cementing his reputation on the international stage. His partnership with India’s Rohan Bopanna — popularly known as the “Indo-Pak Express” — captured worldwide attention for combining elite performance with a powerful message of peace and cross-border friendship.
Away from competition, Aisam earned admiration for his humanitarian initiatives. Through the Haq Foundation and his campaign “Stop War Start Tennis,” he promoted peace-building through sport and supported vulnerable communities.
His efforts earned him numerous awards, including two Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year honours, recognition as a “Champion of Peace” at the Peace and Sport Forum in Monaco, and commendations from Pakistan’s government.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aisam also led relief efforts by distributing ration bags to families across Pakistan, further solidifying his legacy as an athlete committed to service.
As Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi steps away from the professional circuit, tributes continue to pour in from sports communities in Pakistan and abroad — honouring not just his achievements on the court, but his enduring impact beyond it.
