Dubai: Occasional nods of recognition or an appreciative smile every once in a while would greet Aisam-ul-Haq Quraishi at Lahore airport on his trips back home all these years. So the sea of fans waiting to greet him last week after he finished runners-up in the US Open men's doubles final with his Indian partner Rohan Bopanna was quite a surprise for him.
"Yes, it was quite unbelievable — to get a reception like this in a country which is cricket-mad," he admitted.
Quraishi is back for a short break before he embarks on national duty at the Commonwealth Games.
Watch: Aisam-ul-Haq Quraishi speaks after US Open final
The phones haven't quite stopped ringing at his home, nor have the requests for interviews, but then the family is not complaining.
What has also overwhelmed Quraishi is the news of Pakistan's cricket team captain Shahid Afridi telling his teammates to take heart from his showing at the year's last grand slam — not to go down without a fight.
Speaking to Gulf News from Lahore, he said: "I am really happy that a cricketer of Afridi's stature has taken my name to inspire the team. Cricket is a religion here but I am happy to have contributed in my own way to bring some joy to the people of my country."
Peace message
It's difficult to say if all the adulation for Quraishi has as much to do with his on-court success as his "message" of peace in his acceptance speech.
At a time when sportspersons generally prefer to be politically correct, he spoke of clearing the general perception in the West that Pakistan is a country of terrorists and that its people were just as peace-loving as anywhere else.
Looking back, he admits that it was a premeditated message from him but he stands by it: "I think every Pakistani who has travelled to the US or western world wants to say this but does not have the platform. I thought it was my job to use that forum to spread this message."
It's been quite a while since the ‘Indo-Pak Express' of Rohan Bopanna and Quraishi provided a fascinating side story for sports writers — but their unprecedented success at the Flushing Meadows has now got the tennis fraternity talking about more such possibilities.
While it's true that at 30 years of age neither of them are rookies in the sport any more, it could just be the starting point in the doubles game if their on-court chemistry continues to work well.
‘High quality'
"Our biggest gain from the US Open has certainly been the self-belief. Personally speaking, it had been quite tough for me as I had to play two back-to-back finals [Quraishi finished runners-up in the mixed doubles too], but we were really proud to produce such high quality of tennis against the Bryan brothers," he said trying to put things in perspective.
Looking ahead, the partners now want to focus on the season-ending Masters and feel they have a good chance of doing well there. "This year, I had set my goal to break into the top 20 in doubles and almost got there [he is now world No 23 in doubles]. I am also very happy for Rohan for the way he won the last of the reverse singles in their Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Brazil. We hope to carry this confidence level in the remaining tournaments of the year," he said.
While it's common knowledge in pro tennis that the best of doubles pairs need not often be the best of friends on the Tour, the ‘Indo-Pak Express' hit it off well off the courts as well. "He [Rohan] is my best friend on the Tour, but I will certainly not want him to be on the same side of the draw at the Commonwealth Games next month," Quraishi says in jest.
Friendly rivalry
Both Bopanna and Quraishi will be key singles players for their countries at the Games in a couple of weeks' time, but once they are on either side of the net there will be no quarter given and none asked for. "At the end of the day, we are both professionals and the rivalry will be there. But it doesn't affect our relationship as friends and doubles partners," Quraishi added.
FACTFILE
- Date of birth: March 17, 1980
- Place of birth: Lahore, Pakistan
- Height: 1.83m (6ft)
- Weight: 78kg (170lb; 12.3 st)
- Turned pro in 1998
- Plays: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $742,033
