ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tennis fraternity was in mourning on Tuesday after budding youngster Zainab Ali Naqvi, who was competing in the ongoing ITF Junior Tennis Championship, passed away because of suspected heart failure at the age of just 18.

Zainab, who had arrived in Islamabad from Karachi to participate in the ITF event, passed away on Monday night and matches slated for Tuesday were postponed as a mark of respect in her memory and will now be played on Wednesday according to the same schedule.

According to officials of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, Zainab had taken part in a practice session on Monday evening before going to a guest house in sector F-6, where she was staying with her grandmother.

“After reaching the guest house, Zainab had gone to take a shower but didn’t return after a long time had passed. Her grandmother caller her but to no avail,” added the official.

He informed that the staff of the guest house then broke down the door to find her unconscious body, which was shifted to Kulsum Inter­national Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

“Zainab’s body was then shifted to the PolyClinic for autopsy before it was flown to Karachi. The real cause of death will be determined the in autopsy report but it apparently seems that it was a heart failure due to showering immediately after a hectic practice session.”

PTF announced Zainab’s demise in a news release earlier on Tuesday.

“With deep sorrow and profound grief, the PTF conveys that Miss Zainab Ali Naqvi, a young tennis player who had come to Islamabad from Karachi to participate in the ITF Juniors Tournaments, passed away last night on Feb 12, 2024 in Islamabad,” it said.

“PTF president Aisam-ul-Haq former president Salim Saifullah Khan, PTF Council members and the tennis fraternity at large offered their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May Allah bless the departed soul with eternal peace in paradise.”

A joint prayer for Zainab was offered and a minute’s silence was observed by all the foreign and local players, parents, coaches and the PTF officials and staff. PTF treasurer Arif Qureshi, who remained involved in the process of autopsy and shifting of dead body, said, “Zainab was a brilliant player and the bronze medallist of last year’s National Games”.

He added that hospital staff, police and everyone cooperated for sending her body to Karachi on time while also adding that the International Tennis Federation had also offered assistance in any way possible through its safeg­uarding manager.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2024