President By Day, Player By Choice: Aisam Qureshi’s Asian Games Return

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, the Pakistan Tennis Federation president and former Grand Slam finalist, will compete in the men's doubles event at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

The 46-year-old confirmed his participation after assessing his fitness and deciding that he remains capable of competing while continuing his responsibilities as PTF president.

"Yes I am the President of the PTF and I will be fulfilling my duties as President in the Asian Games but since I am fully fit and still playing tennis regularly I decided to compete in the doubles event," Qureshi said.

Aisam Qureshi's return to the Asian Games

Qureshi will be part of Pakistan's six-member tennis squad alongside Aqeel Khan, Muhammad Shoaib, Muzammil Murtaza, Maheen Aftab and Ushna Sohail.

The veteran said he has trained with the squad ahead of the Games and has also worked with the younger members of the team.

"I have practised with the rest of the team players and done my best to help the younger players in the squad," he said.

Qureshi became PTF president in 2024 after a long international career and remains one of the most prominent figures in Pakistani tennis.

Aisam Qureshi's career and Rohan Bopanna partnership

Qureshi turned professional in 1998 and reached a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 8 in 2011. He won 18 ATP doubles titles and accumulated more than $3.7 million in career prize money.

His most notable Grand Slam run came at the 2010 US Open, where he reached both the men's doubles and mixed doubles finals.

In men's doubles, Qureshi partnered India's Rohan Bopanna. The Indo-Pakistani pairing reached the final in New York before losing to Bob and Mike Bryan.

Qureshi and Bopanna became one of the more prominent doubles partnerships of their era, combining on the international circuit despite representing neighbouring countries with a longstanding sporting rivalry.

Qureshi also won Masters 1000 titles at the 2011 Paris Masters and 2013 Miami Open and competed at the ATP Finals three times.

Aisam Qureshi balancing administration and competition

Qureshi's Asian Games appearance comes as he continues his work to develop tennis in Pakistan. The country's men's and women's teams will both compete in Aichi-Nagoya.

Pakistan is also scheduled to host a Billie Jean King Cup event in October involving players from 10 nations. Qureshi said the tournament will include an initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer.

For Qureshi, however, the Asian Games will also provide a return to competition - allowing one of Pakistan tennis's most experienced players to combine his administrative role with an appearance on court at 46.