KARACHI, Nov 24: Indian National Seniors tennis champion in 35-plus category, K. V. N. Murthy, has said that he had won many a friend on his last visit two years back and was feeling at home.

“Prior to my last visit I was not feeling comfortable, but after spending some time here and coming across people I felt like all are my friends, brothers and the misconception has gone,” he told Dawn in an interview on Monday.

Continuing, he said, it was the love and affection of Pakistani people that compelled him to come back once again.

The Hyderabad (Deccan) based Murthy arrived here on Sunday night to compete in the Pakistan International Seniors world ranking tennis championship which got under way at the Karachi Club on Monday. He is seeded third in the 35-plus event.

To a question, he said he did not have any difficulty in getting the Pakistan visa.

The visiting Indian could not compete in the event last year as he had gone to Australia to feature in Tri Millennium tennis championship at New South Wales, Sydney, where he lost in quarter-finals.

Murthy, 38, who runs a private school in his hometown Kukatpally, called for frequent exchanges of sporting teams between the two nations.

“It’s economical as compared to travelling elsewhere and the people of both sides of the border have no language barrier,” he added.

He disclosed that 45-plus ITF tournaments are regularly held in India but regretted that 35-plus ITF tourney seldom took place which compelled the players to travel abroad for securing ranking points.

Commenting on the tennis standard back home, Murthy said the youth were catching it up fast.

“Tennis ace Sania Mirza has emerged as a role model particularly, for girls, and is a source of inspiration for younger generation,” he concluded.