ISLAMABAD: After holding two Davis Cup ties earlier this year, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is all set to host three back-to-back International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures here in Islamabad next month

PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan announced the ITF Futures are returning to the country after some nine years as the global federation agreed to allocate the tournaments to the PTF which will be held from Dec 4-24.

The ITF Futures- F1 Serena Hotels will be played from Dec 4-10. Futures- F2 Kulsum Saifullah Khan will be staged from Dec 11-17. The first two futures will be played at the Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex before the Futures- F3 Benazir Bhutto Shaheed kicks off at the Islamabad Tennis Complex on Dec 18.

The qualifying round of the Futures-F1 will start on Dec 2.

“The number of entries from international players is not only very substantial, with well over 200 from around the globe received until the F1 deadline of the 16th, but is also highly impressive with several players ranked in the top 300 in the world,” said a press release issued by the PTF on Sunday.

The main draws in Futures are for 32 players in singles, and 16 pairs in doubles, while the qualifying round for singles is also for 32 players.

The PTF statement said that several dozen invitation letters have already been issued by the PTF to overseas players to assist them to obtain Pakistani visas.

The PTF president also lauded the federation’s efforts to help promote the game of tennis, as demonstrated during successful organisation of national and international events, and appreciated the support of the Ministry of IPC (Sports), the government and law enforcement agencies for creating conducive environment in the country for attracting foreign players to various disciplines of sports.

According to the PTF, it is expected that over 200 international players will be seen in action at the Futures, each carrying $15,000 prize money.

Pakistan veteran Aqeel Khan emphasised the tournaments will help young and upcoming players.

“These Futures, which are returning to the country after nine years, will be highly beneficial for Pakistani players who will get to play against international contestants on home soil,” he said.

Aqeel said despite the fact that the Pakistani players are more comfortable on grass courts, the Futures, which are clay court tournaments, will be a learning experience for the home players.

“We will put our all efforts to win these championships and try to rise up in the international rankings,” said the 37-year-old.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2017