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Hello again!
I would like to thank everyone for the encouraging comments on my first blog. Honestly, I did not expect such an overwhelming response and it sure is nice to know that Pakistanis are not fond of cricket alone!
Although I had planned on writing just before the French Open, I just had to share something with you guys. For the first time in my career, I have been able to reach the top 50 mark in the ATP world rankings. My previous best was 51. Once again, I want to thank you all for the support and prayers you have been giving me through out my career.
I am currently in Bordeaux, France – my last tournament before the French Open. So far I have been to Rome, Casablanca, Napoli, Tunis, Barcelona and Estroil on this trip. Despite being on the ATP tour for 12 years, I had never been to all these amazing cities and I guess it has everything to do with me playing on clay courts this season!
Now for some of the questions you guys asked in my last blog.
Best option for tennis training in Pakistan
I think Karachi's Modern Club is by far the best place to learn tennis at. Pakistan's top player Aqeel Khan and his siblings Yasir and Jaleel were all groomed at Modern Club and I am sure it would be the best place for kids to start playing tennis.
Plans for opening tennis academy
I have definite plans of building an academy in Lahore in the near future. I feel it is my duty to give something back to the country. I have asked the government for some land in Lahore and am hopeful of an approval soon, so I can start working on the plan. Even now, every time I am back home, I train with the juniors so that I can teach them whatever I have learned in my career. I want to make sure that they don't make the same mistakes that I made when I was a junior.
I will write more after the French Open now...keeping fingers crossed to make an impression at Rolland Garros this time 'round!
—Aisam
(Photo illustration by Eefa Khalid)
The following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
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Comments (104) Closed
May 11, 2010 09:23am
May Allah give u success in every game
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May 11, 2010 09:41am
Dear Aisam
Keep up the good work.We all pray to see you in the final of grand slam. Insha Allah.It will be a a dream come true not just for you but also for fans like me who wish to see a Pakistani lifting a grand slam trophy. (Good Luck x 1,000,000)
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May 11, 2010 09:51am
thanks for the update Aisam....
wish you all the luck for your tournament.......
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May 11, 2010 10:04am
wish we could have more of the educated lot of sportsmen in this country...in any case good job...and best of luck for the land approval ans it goes without saying the french open.
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May 11, 2010 10:12am
Very proud of you Aisam, keep up the good work :)
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May 11, 2010 10:28am
Kudos & Thumbs up for you! I'd like to come and watch you play in France. Are you still going to play there more matches?
"I feel it is my duty to give something back to the country. " People like you just make my day!
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May 11, 2010 10:36am
Best of luck Aisam. Hope and pray you do very well at French Open going by your recent results on clay.
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May 11, 2010 10:36am
Dear Aisam,
congratulations for getting into top 50, an impressive achievement. I hope the academy you plan to set up will also comprise clay/hard courts as almost all major events in Europe all played on clay/hard. Please keep us posted, I might send Danyal to join your academy. Wish you all the best for French Open. Hope to see you in the final. Who is your court partner there? We'll be cheering for you from Rome
Dawood
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May 11, 2010 10:51am
My prayers are with you to win French Open. Dropshorts and cross courts will be the key. Stay focused, your guts will take you through. Inshallah.
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May 11, 2010 10:57am
Bordeaux, France...Amazing :)
But what's more awesome is the news about reaching top 50!! That truly rocks :)
Wish you success in the upcoming tournaments and all the best for RG :):)
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May 11, 2010 11:25am
All the best dude. Make your opponent dance on the court! :)
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May 11, 2010 11:48am
Very cool & congrats on making it into top 50. Oh and yes, we don't only love Cricket. You do make us feel proud and I'm sure you will continue doing that in future. Some questions
1- Is Roger Federer greatest in your book?
2- How did you find Federer as a human being? Any stories you've heard from others?
3- If you had to start from scratch again, what mistakes you think you could have avoided to become even better player (you already are awesome!)?
Cheers ;)
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May 11, 2010 11:50am
Best of luck to you, you are going to need it, all of it! :)
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May 11, 2010 11:51am
I am sure that you are an inspiration to all the young tennis players in Pakistan. I am also sure, God willing, that you will go higher up in the ranking, so keep plugging away.
Best of luck in the French Open.
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May 11, 2010 11:57am
Good luck Aisam, our prayers are with you!
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May 11, 2010 11:59am
Best of luck Aisam Qureshi. I am really proud of you in future you build a tennis star like you that is my prayer.
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May 11, 2010 12:23pm
Best of luck.
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May 11, 2010 12:25pm
Aisam,
I am proud of you and all the other players who are working very hard for the country.
I was not expecting that you would have already started work for 'giving back something' to us!!! As a Pakistani, we need to give you something in return of what you have been giving to us----- joy, proud & peace of mind in these difficult situations.
Well done mate, I will come to see you playing in Wimbledon when you come to London.
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May 11, 2010 12:46pm
All the best Aisam, we want you to win a grand slam for the country... Wimbledon would be very sweet.
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May 11, 2010 12:55pm
Dear Aisam, You are a hope for our country not only for holding Pakistan's flag high internationally but also sports diversity in Pakistan. Unfortunately, we in Pakistan are pursuing a game i.e. cricket which is not so popular abroad. Our media also gives projection to cricket and cricket strange. I wish we were champions in Tennis, Football, Golf etc. However, in tennis you appear to be a ray of hope in dark sports spectrum of our country. Please encourage more and more youth to come to Tennis as that is the formative stage. I pray perhaps your bringing to Pakistan of any grand slam may be a real starter. God give you new heights in future. That is prayer of every Pakistani.
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May 11, 2010 01:04pm
All the best ..hoping to see you break top 20 soon..
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May 11, 2010 01:20pm
Best of Luck!!! You are Pakistan's pride... Good to hear that you've made it into the Top 50.
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May 11, 2010 01:58pm
well done keep us posted about your next games and cities you visited Aisam, we'll keep praying for your success. That's the Deal...:)
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May 11, 2010 02:47pm
Good luck and enjoy!
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May 11, 2010 03:04pm
Best of luck. Make us proud.
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May 11, 2010 03:16pm
Congratulations for reaching the 50th ranking and all the best for French open!
Keep updating.
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May 11, 2010 03:35pm
All the best Aisam. Proud to be a Pakistani
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May 11, 2010 03:52pm
Waiting for your Wimbledon appearance InshAllah....All the best....we all love you....
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May 11, 2010 04:02pm
First off congratulations on the ranking! However, is there any chance we may see you in singles as well? Afterall, the ranking in the singles means so much more; we can also take that much more pride in your achievements that way as well given that it will be solely a Pakistani hand.
Regards and Prayers for your success!
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May 11, 2010 04:37pm
Aisam,
Best of luck for tournament and for future.
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May 11, 2010 04:56pm
Best of luck for future and for French Open.
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May 11, 2010 05:05pm
Aisam go for it. You have the prayers and love of the nation. The government should help you
financially, you need some land in Lahore and funds to set up much needed and awaited Tennis Academy to train a new generation of budding youngsters, superstars of the future.
There could not be a better role model than you, after Imran Khan in Cricket. Regrettably, he made the blunder of getting into dirty politics, he should get out of that even now. Please stay focussed on sports
that would be the greatest service to the nation. We thank you.
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May 11, 2010 05:39pm
This is for the doubles ranking before people get too excited.
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May 11, 2010 06:18pm
Dear Aisam Qureshi,
Its nice to hear that now you have been into top 50 warm congratulation to you ! ... i do hope that you will do good also in individual ranking...its really high time to pay attention other sports apart from cricket alone & for that matter your idea to establish a academy is good and i do hope that it will cater to masses who would like to play Tennis ... i would like to meet you when you will in Pakistan my mail address is imran_dpa@hotmail.com
Regards
Imran
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May 11, 2010 07:17pm
Well done Aisam and all the very best for the future. We all are very proud of you. Thank you for doing what you are doing for the country.
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May 11, 2010 07:19pm
Good Luck Aisam with the French Open.Is it possible for you to hand out some Tickets for Rolland Garros so I can come and cheer for you in Paris!! and Hope you make it on clay!!
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May 11, 2010 07:22pm
Thank you for making the nation proud. Well done and good luck.
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May 11, 2010 08:58pm
Hey Aisam you are a real hard worker. I am hopeful that u will bring laurels for Pakistan. Please do something for promoting tennis in our country so that Pakistan can prove its metal in the field of tennis too. Inspite of unfavorable conditions in our country you managed to represent Pakistan on international level, hats off to you man. I want you to gain top position in world ranking and believe that you can do it, Inshallah . And ya never forget to serve your motherland. Yes Aisam you can beat Federar too commmooooonnnnnnnnnnnnn badal do zamana .
devoted Pakistani
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May 11, 2010 10:44pm
Wish you all the best as usual and I'll remember you in my prays, hope you do the same for me too-- I have exams going on at the moment and I'm really stressed out. But reading your blog has put a smile on my face :-)
Love
Katxx
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May 11, 2010 11:23pm
Aisam, I am following your every single game. You are role model for all Pakistani young kids. I am working with your cousin Zulfi Khwaja in Canada. I always bug him that he is not your real cousin.
Wish you all the best for all the coming tournaments
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May 11, 2010 11:45pm
Three words: proud of you.
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May 12, 2010 12:52am
Asim, All the best . I make all my American friend to watch your match . We follow you closely . Enjoy Paris and play well .
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May 12, 2010 01:56am
Congrats Aisam, you truly are an inspiration! Wishing you all the best!
A fan from India.
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May 12, 2010 02:04am
You have been my hero ever since I came to know about you Aisam. You are the sort of role models this country needs. Stay down to earth and modest the way you are. Thats the most positive attribute of yours.
I hope you break into top 10 at some point in your career. Are you coming to London anytime soon?
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May 12, 2010 02:26am
Aisam,
You are great inspiration for all young aspiring sportsmen and women in Pakistan. The fact that you have excelled in a field which gets very little mention or support in our country and having done so purely by your own determination, speaks volumes for what an individual can achieve by having a dream and the will-power to achieve it. I am an avid tennis player, although not at your level, and it gives me immense pride in telling everyone that you are a Pakistani and that we can produce great tennis players and not just Cricket or Hockey or Squash (although all of that seems to be in our past). So maybe our future is Tennis, more power to you. Best of luck at Roland Garros.
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May 12, 2010 03:55am
You were in Borduex, France. Then you were in Casablanca and soon you were all around the world. What is left in the excitement are the descriptions? How did you find the place for example a place called Bordeux? The place is famous for a reason all around the world. How was the landscape? The land, the air, the plants and so forth. Above all the cheese. If you hang around those places, with the possibilities of gaining weight, you may want to forget playing and with additional weight, consider devoting time writing and in becoming a Balzac or a Flaubert. You do show potentials.
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May 12, 2010 04:06am
Hello,
First of all Congrats Aisam on your achievement on reaching top 50. May ALLAH help us all in our progression towards betterment of Pakistan. Ameen. Yes I agree that Pakistani people are cricket crazy but when any team/players from Pakistan are competing at national/international stage people would support them. It is really nice to know that you plan to open up an academy in Lahore for tennis. I wish that players like Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Shahbaz Senior, Samiullah, Hasan Sardar and Imran Khan open their academies as well. Because seeing the current debacle of Pakistan in cricket, hockey and squash we need the legends to come in and support the sports infrastructure in Pakistan.
Being a to-be post graduate of Sport Management, I don't know how I can get into the sports infrastructure in Pakistan. If we have such academies there, this provides a chance for people with expertise in sports development and a true passion for sports to work with legends to earn back the sporting pride for Pakistan.
Cricket get the lion's share into the sponsorships and funding, there is a need to set up a centralized setup for sponsorships for sport organizations in Pakistan, so that the funding and the earned money could be channelized into different sports development programs for different sports.
Aisam, have you ever played in Australia Open? Secondly, is there any sponsorship that you have currently or are you supporting your venture yourself.
Thanks and good luck
Aisha Jalil
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May 12, 2010 04:26am
We feel proud of you man. We don't love cricket alone here in Peshawar too. I wish you could do something here for tennis players improvement and its further development in Peshawar in this disturbing situation. Any way we would definitely look at you debut in Lahore which is near to us as compared to Karachi.
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May 12, 2010 05:43am
Aisam.
All the Pakistani - Americans are giving you a big shout-out for success from the East to the West coast for success in all your games
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May 12, 2010 05:45am
Dear Aisam..
All the very very very best for the tournament. I wish the victory will be yours.
lots of warm wishes and love
from a huge fan of yours.
Hira Gulroo(Pakistani)
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May 12, 2010 06:25am
Haha , Aisam sure we are not the cricket lover alone, wish you very best of Luck.
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May 12, 2010 07:37am
Aisam we want Pakistan to be in Davis cup main round...and I know only you can do that...plzzzz......and plzz try to improve your singles ranking....its going down and down
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May 12, 2010 07:39am
In these days when there are bad news every where for us , I think you are doing a great job. Keep it up
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May 12, 2010 07:43am
In doubles only the top 20-25 matters rest are just numbers
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May 12, 2010 01:52pm
Hi Asim
Best of luck for whole tournament. Let me assure you one thing that we are not just cricket lovers, in fact we are sports loving + patriot + emotional nation and we regard all of our nation heroes equally. So you are in our (hit) list. please never think that we don't love you. our prayers are always with you.
regards
Alina
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May 12, 2010 03:25pm
All Pakistanis -be they in Pakistan or in the West- are behind you. You do us proud! Keep up the great work! I hope you soon realise your dream of creating a world class tennis academy in Lahore. It's great that you have the future of Pakistani tennis in your radar. Your experiences on the world tennis curcuit would give invaluable insight to up and coming Pakistani players. Moreover, we need to encourage tennis at the grass roots. I am confident your support augurs well for the development of world class tennis in Pakistan. Historically, Pakistanis have excelled in racquet sports despite very little official patronage. Your success is a catalyst for positive change. I am sure that Pakistanis would contribute generously to your noble cause of creating a world class tennis academy to Pakistan. You are in all of our prayers. Pakistan Zindabad!
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May 12, 2010 05:58pm
Wish you all the best for French OPen...... And i'm waiting for my ball with your signatures ;)
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May 12, 2010 08:25pm
Something is better than nothing....encourage the lad Dude!
Well done Aisam I am PROUD of you.
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May 12, 2010 11:05pm
Hey Aisam, very very best of Luck for your Future. Make us Pakistanis proud. May Allah bless you with victories... Go on Brother... Insha Allah you will be the best!
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May 12, 2010 11:06pm
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AISAM!
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May 13, 2010 05:01am
good luck
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May 13, 2010 05:12am
Best of luck for the French Open aisam..looking forward to see u playing there..no matter till wat round u go we will be proud of u anyway. Keep blogging!!
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May 13, 2010 06:29am
Aisam, Dude best of luck whenever you play next. Just keep in mind that we will be shouting support loud and clear from the stands no matter how outnumbered we are, just like in Hong Kong, hehe ;)
Best of luck and best wishes from here!
Cheers.
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May 13, 2010 11:20am
Aisam bhai game is on! we want you to win French Open!! =)
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May 14, 2010 10:35am
Hey Aisam,
Best of luck mate and I am sure if you go with your plans for Tennis Academy, we shall see a lot of Pakistani Tennis Stars soon !!
Cheers!
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May 14, 2010 12:34pm
"Pakistanis have excelled in racquet sports "
which other except squash?
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May 15, 2010 11:10am
Best of luck Aisam bring us the french open Trophy please :)
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May 16, 2010 01:01pm
May your dream of setting up Tennis Academy in Lahore comes true and you get all the support from the govertment that is required to initiate your project as the promotion of sports development in Pakistan is desperately needed to bring the sports industry in the forefront . All the best for your future ventures Aisam. Good Luck!
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May 16, 2010 01:20pm
Nice perspective. I will be betting the fed express to beat rafa today at ATP Madrid.
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May 15, 2010 02:30pm
Best of luck Aisam
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May 16, 2010 05:18am
Hey Aisam
First of all, let me congratulate you for being not only a superstar player but a true gentleman. People like you make us all proud regardless of result on the court. You have single handedly revived the sport in Pakistan and your plan to build an academy is icing on cake. Please do not back down even if useless authorities discourage you. I am confident that your academy will produce world class players one day, don't forget to seek media's help to promote your academy (i am sure they will gladly do that).
Best of luck for French open and all other upcoming tournaments, you are in my opinion a true LEGEND of Pakistan. I will definitely be there to support you if you come to play Australian open in 2011.
Best of luck brother.
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May 17, 2010 04:48am
Aisam best of luck for Roland garross. Keep fighting
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May 17, 2010 02:40pm
From pindigheb, congratulations on getting in top 50. Infact, this week your ranking has improved and now your ranking is 47th. This week in nice you have tough draw but I'll be praying for your success. Best of luck against Greul and Wassen. Good idea to start academy. Make us proud at Roland Garros.
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May 18, 2010 02:23am
I am a fan of cricket but I love any sport that helps Pakistan to make feel proud of their performance. I love you.
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May 18, 2010 04:56am
BEST OF LUCK FOR THE top 50
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May 19, 2010 06:51am
Hi Aisam,
It's wonderful you are making us proud. My best wishes are with you. Something i am really concerned of. What will be the source of income for tennis players in Pakistan. Even PTF do not send them on world tours to play tennis so they can get a good ranking. Tennis players didn't get the exposure which they really need. I think that's the main reason of downfall of Tennis in Pakistan. What you say ?
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May 20, 2010 06:46pm
Good to see u :) v.best ov luck for all the upcoming events, congrts for the ranking ,..
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May 21, 2010 06:35am
Best of luck for the upcoming french open and congrats on acheiving 50 ATP ranking. keep it up and play like a CHAMP!!!
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May 21, 2010 08:04am
From Pindi Gheb! Congratulations on reaching yet another Final of 250.You can get your 2nd 250 title this year.I am really proud of you.I will be praying for you during your final match.Facebook is blocked in Pakistan so i cant send my wishes through facebook.Make the whole nation proud and what way to kickstart roland garros.
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May 21, 2010 11:44am
All the best..
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May 22, 2010 09:38am
congratulation boy..!
may success be the part of ur life...:)
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May 24, 2010 12:02am
good luck aisam!!!
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May 24, 2010 12:16am
Hope you do another upset!!!
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May 24, 2010 07:07pm
Best of luck for the french Open. Hope u have a great tournament and pray that u give us more reasons to cheer for.
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May 26, 2010 08:16pm
That's good news Aisam..!! Congratulations! And prayers for your French Open. Rolland Garros is such a dream stage for any tennis fan. Hope you make history there and give Pakistanis a reason to smile out loud! :D
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May 27, 2010 12:21am
Keep the flag high Asim. Pakistanis all over the world are proud of you! I wish you the best of luck when you set up your Tennis Academy in Lahore. It's high time that Pakistan dominated more raquet sports. We've used to be on top of the Squash world, we've had great table tennis and badminton players but since Abdul Hai's tennis exploits, you've been the best at getting us into Wimbleton, the French Open and US Open tournaments! Pakistan Zindabad!!!
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May 27, 2010 05:54am
Oh come off it John!....It's an achievement none the less and something to be proud off.....
Go Aisam Go! You are an excellent ambassador for Pakistan and a dignified presence to have on court....
May Allah give you much, much more success...
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May 27, 2010 07:15pm
Aisam, i think for Pakistani athletes to excel we need a pollution free Pakistan. I hope one day you can campaign towards that.
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May 29, 2010 11:09am
From Pindi Gheb! Hi Aisam bhai congratulations on reaching 2nd round for the first time in Roland Garros.Winning convincingly against Fognini and Russel will boost your confidence for the 2nd round match against the locals Benneteau and Llodra seed (15).I have waited anxiously for your first match which was delayed due to weather.Now lets see when will you get your 2nd round match. Lets pray for your mixed doubles 1st round match.Being your fan I will follow your progress, live scores and pray during your matches.My appeal to fellow brothers and sisters to pray for Aisam bhai during his matches.
ALLAH HAFIZ
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May 31, 2010 11:11am
Hi Aisam ,
Trully i agree that a decent and educated sportsman is what is needed in our country. i just wanted to know when and where you are planning to open up your tennis academy in LAHORE. As my son who is 11 really loves tennis and you , he already plays tennis but needs serious coaching. i am sure that a small guidence from a person like you will blossom his natural tallent for the game.
Thanks
Saqib
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May 31, 2010 07:54am
Hi Aisam, good luck for the french tournament and its really good to know that even Pakistani stars can also do some blogging....
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May 29, 2010 09:31pm
From Pindi Gheb, Congrats lucky day! winning first round of both mens and mixed doubles ! no its hard work thats paying.Another big day sunday two matches.Best of luck, Facebook is banned, so please join twitter like your partner Rohan, many of your fans are waiting eagerly to see you on twitter.They are even asking Rohan about your twitter account.Praying for you to do well, Allah Hafiz
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May 31, 2010 09:57am
I love you Aisam.
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Jun 01, 2010 11:06am
Aisam, i live in denver, colorado, i have two tennis courts right in front of my house, they are newly surfaced and they are purple, very cool. If you are in denver, please do stop by, i will show you around.
my em: tangocross at aol.
Very happy to see an educated Pakistani sportman do so well.
We need more people like you in Pakistan.
Best of luck ever.
scott/saqib/denver.
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May 31, 2010 08:27pm
love you aisam
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Jun 02, 2010 10:41am
All the best Aisam. InshAllah you'd ace it.
Make us proud =)
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Jun 02, 2010 06:32am
Thanks Aisam 4 making us proud..Pakistan needs the players like you..i hope you'll get more and more success..
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Jun 03, 2010 04:53am
Smart, intelligent, enlightened sportsman like you make us proud unlike our cricketers. Best of luck for all the tournaments.
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Jun 05, 2010 08:16am
Thanks for enlisting Pakistan in Tennis worldwide...my best wishes to you for all up-coming matches!
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Jun 07, 2010 07:20am
From Pindi Gheb, Hi Aisam Bhai! Congrats for getting 43rd in doubles ranking this week.Once again u have a little chance of meeting Federer in Semi finals in doubles Draw of gerry weber open.Rohan has qualified for singles main draw u should try qualifiers too in singles, specially at grass. Any way Best of luck in ur 1st match against Marx and Igor.I ll pray for u to do well at grass. ALLAH HAFIZ.
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Jun 07, 2010 05:04am
All the best......
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Jun 08, 2010 04:03pm
Best of luck brother =]
We're proud of you
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Jun 09, 2010 06:04am
Best of luck
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Jun 10, 2010 03:52am
From Pindi Gheb, Hi Aisam Bhai! no luck against Philip and Igor. Match stats show that double faults from you guys and aces against you guys were major reason. First set was not good but you guys fought hard in second set. Just 10 days to go for Wimbledon, after long clay season you guys need to adapt on grass as soon as possible. You have to save 205 points. And tell us that will you play single's qualifier in Wimbledon. Always praying for your success. Allah Hafiz.
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