But there was no disgrace for Aisam and Hadad who lost to seventh ranked Czech Republic pair of Martin Damm and Cyril Suk 6-1 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.
But for Aisam, it was a historic and most memorable tournament when he became the second Pakistani to go that far in the competition.
Unfortunately, Aisam is being discussed for all the wrong reasons and instead of being praised for a marvellous achievement.
Aisam, who was neither funded by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) nor was backed by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), is facing a possible suspension for partnering an Israeli because Pakistan government has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
If the PTF and PSB claim that Aisam has violated the law of the land by teaming up with an Israeli, then the two federations will be contradicting its own policy of not mixing sports with politics.
Aisam was instrumental in taking Pakistan to this September’s Asia/Oceania Davis Cup Group II final against China. He was not only a match-winner but an inspirational leader who always motivated and boosted the confidence of his team-mates who have limited domestic experience.
If tennis needs to be promoted in Pakistan, players like Aisam are required to be persuaded to play more in the domestic circuit than making him a pariah.
Reuters add from London: Aisam laughed off his government’s threats to investigate his pairing with Hadad.
Reacting to news that Sports Minister S.K Tressler would look into the politically contentious pairing that reached the third round, Qureshi said:
“I think if they (Pakistan) want to qualify for group one (Davis Cup) then I’ll have to play. I’ll be there to play. It’s going to be okay,” Qureshi said.
“I don’t know what’s happening. No-one has contacted me at all.
“Some people have said positive things. Some people have said negative things. But I think it’s going to be okay. I have a good relationship with them.”
Qureshi’s pairing with Hadad has drawn sharp reaction from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) which has threatened to ban the player.
“The government will definitely approach this issue. As we don’t have diplomatic relations with Israel, we don’t recognise it,” Tressler said earlier.
“But it would be premature to say what we can do. All I can say is that Aisam’s decision to play with an Israeli was not morally correct.”
Aisam has been Pakistan’s best player for the last two years.
Tressler said Pakistan did not believe in mixing sport with politics and for that reason it supported sporting ties with arch-rivals India.
But he added that Israel was a sensitive issue for Pakistan.
“Aisam should have been careful, because no Pakistani will accept any relations with an Israeli,” Tressler said.
“But we have to see a lot of things, the circumstances surrounding Aisam’s decision to team up with the Israeli, that he is playing there in his personal capacity and he can play anywhere,” he said.
The minister acknowledged it was an honour that a Pakistani had qualified for the Wimbledon third round and said maybe Qureshi did not have any other option available to him.
Tressler said there was no rule or condition in Pakistani sports about relations with Israel when it came to individual sports.
“When Aisam returns to Pakistan we will approach this issue and see what can be done.”