Pakistan’s tennis hero, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, said goodbye to his pro career with tears and smiles. At 45, he made the big news during the opening of the first ATP Challenger Pakistan in Islamabad on November 24, 2025.
As president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, he joked, “I don’t know if my tears are for my career or hosting the Challenger Cup.” The crowd gave him a standing cheer for his long fight on and off the court.
Aisam turned pro in 1998 and became Pakistan’s top player. He hit a high singles rank of 125 in 2007 and doubles rank of 8 in 2011 with his pal Rohan Bopanna from India.
He reached finals at the 2010 US Open in men’s and mixed doubles – the only Pakistani to do so. Over his 27 years, he won 18 doubles titles, including two big Masters 1000 ones. In Davis Cup, he led Pakistan to the World Group playoffs in 2005.
But Aisam was more than wins. He won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award twice for his good work. With Bopanna, he started “Stop War Start Tennis” to push peace between Pakistan and India. They even got a Peace and Sport award for it. Fans love how he used tennis to build bridges.
In his speech, Aisam thanked his family first. “My parents were my strength,” he said. His mom pushed his coach, Haseeb Aslam, to train him as a kid. He also praised coaches, players, and media for support.
This retirement marks the end of an era, but Aisam will keep growing tennis in Pakistan. The Challenger Cup, his dream event, shows his push for young stars. “His story will fire up the next group,” said federation bosses.
As he plays his last doubles with Muzammil Murtaza, fans say: Aisam didn’t just play – he changed the game for good.
