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Qureshi: 'I Couldn't Watch My People Suffer'

  • Posted: Sep 12, 2020

Qureshi: ‘I Couldn’t Watch My People Suffer’

In this installment of ATPTour.com’s My Point series, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi writes about helping people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic

I could not sit by and watch my country’s people suffer.

The past five months have been extremely difficult for everyone around the world. Many are desperate in Pakistan and to be honest, it’s a very scary sight. In my hometown of Lahore, people are really needy. Many families are cramped into a small room with seven or eight people staying in one tight space. They are terrified.

COVID-19 has affected everyone. It has been terrible to see everything that it has caused. In Pakistan alone, there have been about 300,000 confirmed cases. But unfortunately, my country has more than just the coronavirus to stress about. A lot of people from small villages come to a city like Lahore to work for their daily wages and then they go back home. That is how they earn enough money to put food on the table for their entire family.

More than 210 million people live in Pakistan, and many of them have been suffering. I think people are more scared of hunger than of the coronavirus itself. I worry for them.

I knew people needed help. Many Pakistanis sent me messages on social media begging for it. Nobody asked for money. They just needed food. They wanted to survive.

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
Photo Credit: Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi
* * * * *
When I was really young, before I started playing tennis, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot. I dreamt of flying planes. I used to draw pictures of them as well as I could. I had small figures: army figures, air force figures, all that kind of stuff. I thought it would be the coolest thing to fly and serve my country.

But I was probably destined to be a tennis player. My mother was Pakistan’s No. 1 player for 10 years. Tennis has always been a family sport and it’s in my blood. Life without tennis would be incomplete. It’s very difficult to imagine what would have happened had I chosen another career. I would have missed out on meeting so many people and getting to work with amazing organisations. I wouldn’t be Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi without tennis.

My dream as a kid was always to somehow make my country proud of me and serve my people. Some people know me for helping bridge barriers between Pakistan and other countries. First, I played with Israel’s Amir Hadad. I later had success with India’s Rohan Bopanna, reaching the US Open final. I believed that politics and religion should not intrude on sports, and followed my gut instinct.

Tennis has given me that platform to do so and once I started playing tennis then not only was I able to make my family proud, but I was given an incredible opportunity to try to make a difference in the world. That’s the reason I’m still playing tennis right now.

A lot of that mindset goes back to my family’s foundation, the Haq Foundation. It has long supported SOS Village, which provides a loving home for orphaned children. We always asked them if the kids need anything like clothes, new blankets or even food. About 15 years ago, the president of the SOS Village asked me to visit in person and I said, ‘Sure, I would love to’. I will remember that day forever.

The president asked if I’d be able to donate a hearing aid for a few of the children. One young girl who was six years old walked over and she had never heard before. They helped set up the hearing aid I had donated and that moment when she was able to hear for the first time was a mind-blowing experience. She was crying with happiness and that made me burst into tears — of joy, of course. I was emotionally overwhelmed. I donated such a small thing, a hearing aid, and I was able to impact her so massively.

Five years ago I started my foundation, Stop War Start Tennis. The goal is to not just support Pakistan, but places throughout the world like Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Rwanda that have been ravaged by war and natural disasters. We do our best to provide equipment and tennis wheelchairs to people who have lost limbs through uncontrollable circumstances.

Qureshi
Photo Credit: Robert Davis
A few years ago with the help of an ATP ACES For Charity grant, I was able to donate more than 50 hearing aids in Uganda for a deaf school. They sent me all the videos of these kids wearing the hearing aids for the first time with their reactions when they were able to hear. These moments give you jitters and goosebumps. They motivate and inspire me to help more people.

I was lucky enough to win the Peace and Sport Award from the Prince of Monaco. Being a Pakistani, being a Muslim, you can’t even dream of that. I never even thought earning such recognition was possible, and that helped me realise the impact I could make on people in the bigger picture. I knew I had to continue trying to inspire others.

At the beginning of this pandemic, I decided to work with Rizq, a local organisation whose goal is to create a hunger-free Pakistan. The idea was to help raise funds to provide rations to families in need. People were able to come pick up boxes that contained enough flour, rice, oil, grains, tea, milk and soap to care for a family of five for a month.

But then we started going into lockdown because of COVID-19, which made things more difficult. I had to be aware of my family: my parents, nieces and nephews. Many people in Pakistan live in a joint-family structure so a lot of people live together in one house. If I went out to help every day without proper precautions, it would put my family at risk, which I didn’t want to do.

But I knew people needed help. I wore gloves, a mask and hat to protect myself as well as possible. I would come home and take off all my clothes and put them into a separate wash and take a proper shower and keep washing my hands, thinking the whole time about how many more people I wish I could help.

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
Photo Credit: Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi
I volunteered to deliver rations to whomever needed it. I’d say the toughest part wasn’t putting myself at risk, but knowing I couldn’t possibly get to everyone who needed assistance by myself. It was crazy to see the people’s faces when we delivered food. They were so incredibly thankful. Hunger might seem like a small issue in the world because of the virus, but it’s a huge task right now in Pakistan.

While I did this, I also liaised with businesspeople in Pakistan to try to raise funds through an auction to support our Stars Against Hunger campaign, for which many star athletes were gracious enough to donate memorabilia. I have been able to help raise more than 20 million Pakistani rupees and support more than 25,000 people. This is something we need to continue working hard to support, as it will take time to fix this issue.

One of the best parts of being a tennis player is I have a platform to reach more people and inspire them to care for those in need. That is what I’ve learned from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. These guys have pretty much achieved everything in life and in tennis, but they are still helping so many and inspiring millions more not just with their tennis, but their humanity.

Watching them hit tennis balls is amazing in itself. But how they treat others throughout the world has inspired me more than anything. They have taught me a major lesson: Life is not all about us. If you’re in a position to help the less privileged, then you need to do that in any way possible.

As an athlete, especially when you play an individual sport, you sometimes become very selfish. Everything is about yourself and your career, your performance and results. It’s all about me, me, me, me, me and you forget about the world. You forget about what’s happening around you.

I don’t want to be remembered as just a tennis player. I really want to be remembered as a good and loving human being. If people can remember me like that, that would be enough for me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in this position, but I couldn’t be more thankful.

– as told to Andrew Eichenholz

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Hanfmann Outlasts Djere To Reach Kitzbühel Final

  • Posted: Sep 12, 2020

Hanfmann Outlasts Djere To Reach Kitzbühel Final

German to face Kecmanovic for the trophy

Yannick Hanfmann advanced to his first ATP Tour final in three years on Saturday, beating Laslo Djere 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel.

The 28-year-old held two match points at 5-4 in the third set, before eventually converting his third match point in a final-set tie-break with a backhand return winner. Hanfmann won 63 per cent of second-serve return points (30/48) to advance after two hours and 25 minutes.

”I didn’t feel so good [after the first match points]. At that level, if you miss those chances you can lose the match right away,” said Hanfmann. “I was happy that I had chances to go back up 6-5 and break him. I didn’t make that, so it was a tough few minutes for me to really get settled again.

”In the tie-break, I had a pretty clear mind. I was just trying to play point-by-point… really go for my game and that is what I did. It is fitting that I finished it with a backhand return winner.”

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Hanfmann entered the tournament seeking his first ATP Tour victory since the 2018 BMW Open by FWU in Munich, but the World No. 118 has now won six straight matches from qualifying to reach his second tour-level championship match. At the 2017 Swiss Open Gstaad, Hanfmann reached his maiden ATP Tour final from qualifying before falling in straight sets to Fabio Fognini.

Aiming to become the first qualifier to lift an ATP Tour crown since Daniil Medvedev’s 2018 triumph at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships, Hanfmann will face Miomir Kecmanovic for the first time in the final. Kecmanovic advanced to his second ATP Tour final with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win against Swiss qualifier Marc-Andrea Huesler.

The #NextGenATP Serbian won 86 per cent of first-serve points (37/43) throughout the two-hour, 19-minute contest. Kecmanovic will attempt to clinch his first ATP Tour crown after a runner-up finish in Antalya last year.

“I know it is not going to be easy because [Yannick] is a big guy [who] serves well, but hopefully I can make him play,” said Kecmanovic. “Like today, [I need to] stay in the point as long as I can and just try to force him to go for too much.”

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Thiem: 'The Chance Is Now'

  • Posted: Sep 12, 2020

Thiem: ‘The Chance Is Now’

Second seed advances to US Open final on Friday

For the past three seasons, Dominic Thiem inched closer to his dream of winning a Grand Slam title.

After a brutal straight-sets defeat to Rafael Nadal in the 2018 Roland Garros final, he took a set off the Spaniard when they reprised that final the following year in Paris. Thiem then came within one set of a major championship at this year’s Australian Open before suffering a heartbreaking five-set loss to Novak Djokovic.

The Austrian gave himself another chance on Friday by defeating Daniil Medvedev in their US Open semi-final. Only fifth seed Alexander Zverev stands between him and a maiden Grand Slam crown.

“It’s the biggest goal and the biggest dream I’ve had in my tennis career for a few years, since the moment I realised that maybe I can make it one day and especially since I played [my] first final at 2018 Roland Garros,” Thiem said. “It was really tough to digest that loss in Australia as I was super close. I’m happy that in a pretty short time, I gave myself another chance with this win today [and] with the final on Sunday.”

“Of course, it’s pressure for me. At the same time, I try not to think too much about it. If it’s not going to happen on Sunday, I have to continue working and maybe get the chance at another Slam. [But] the chance is now… I’ll try everything to make it.”

Thiem’s latest chance was far from a guarantee. He suffered a shocking opening-round defeat last month at the Western & Southern Open and didn’t produce his best tennis in the first week of the US Open, but gradually rounded into form this fortnight.

But it was Thiem’s mental fortitude that got him over the line against Medvedev. The Russian served for the second and third sets and also held a set point in both of them. Thiem held his nerve and forced Medvedev to beat him, which he didn’t. He powered through a left ankle injury to continue chasing down shots and capitalised on the few opportunities provided to improve to 3-1 in their ATP Head2Head rivalry.

“That was a great match on a very high level. [It] was probably the toughest straight-sets win I’ve ever had,” Thiem said. “I could have easily been one [or] two sets down. He served for the second and third sets. Luckily, I played my best tennis towards the end of both of these sets.”

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Unlike Thiem’s three previous Grand Slam finals, he’ll step on court this Sunday as the on-paper favourite. He holds a 7-2 lead against Zverev in their ATP Head2Head series and won their past three matches, including a four-set triumph this year in the Australian Open semi-finals.

Although Thiem acknowledges the magnitude of having a guaranteed new Grand Slam champion, he said facing that reality has helped him detach from it. He plans to prepare for the final in the same way he approached his first round, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of victory.

“From the moment Novak was out of the tournament, it was clear that there’s going to be a new Grand Slam champion. From that moment on, that was also out of my mind,” Thiem said. “I was just focussing on the remaining guys left in the draw. Now it’s Sascha remaining. I will fully focus on him and go into that match like in the all other matches so far in this tournament.”

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Medvedev On Thiem: 'He Played Like A Champion'

  • Posted: Sep 12, 2020

Medvedev On Thiem: ‘He Played Like A Champion’

Russian exits US Open after semi-final defeat

Having played several ATP Head2Head matches against each of the Big Three, Daniil Medvedev is an authority in comparing their level to that of his peers. After falling to Dominic Thiem on Friday in the US Open semi-finals, he believes the Austrian has turned a corner in matching their day in, day-out consistency.

“He played like a real champion. That’s actually the stress of the Big Three. No matter which day you play them, it seems like they play the same level,” Medvedev said. “Talking about myself or Dominic, we can have these bad days where… Maybe you can say, ‘I’m going to play to the backhand of Dominic and get some chances.’ Well, not during this US Open or Australian Open. He’s playing really some great tennis. Backhand, forehand, slice, everything is there.”

Medvedev only won 15 fewer points than his opponent (112 to 127), but fell short in the most crucial points of the match. He had only been broken three times in his first five rounds and held the most dominant serving stats among the semi-finalists, but was unable to serve out the second and third sets against Thiem. He also failed to convert the set point he held in each of those sets.

Rather than rue those missed opportunities or his 44 unforced errors on the night, Medvedev felt the end result was due to Thiem’s play. He credited his opponent with maintaining a high level and applying constant pressure in their baseline exchanges.

“What I would do different in this semifinal? Probably not much,” Medvedev said. “We can talk about some shots, losing concentration in the first set. But Dominic played really good.

“Tennis is all about small points. Sometimes you win these points, sometimes you lose them. Today, I lost the most important points. That’s how he got the win. But I think it was really high-level tennis and Dominic was playing really good.”

Despite the loss, Medvedev will depart New York with confidence as he turns his focus to the clay-court swing. He entered this tournament having only won six of his past 10 matches and struggled for confidence, but finished by regaining the form from the second half of last year that saw him clinch his first two ATP Masters 1000 titles (Cincinnati & Shanghai), in addition to reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open.

”Definitely more happy than disappointed,” Medvedev said. “[If] two months ago, someone would tell me I’d make [the] semi-finals of the US Open, I would be super happy because I was not feeling great about my game [and] my physical shape. I had huge troubles in practice. I was like, ‘Okay, how am I going to play?’

”Finally, I showed a great level. Even talking about tonight, [I’m] super happy about my level. Disappointed with the loss, but great experience. Great result. Looking forward to the next tournaments.”

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Live: Thiem Out In Front Against Medvedev In US Open SF

  • Posted: Sep 12, 2020

Live: Thiem In Command Against Medvedev In US Open SF

Second seed holds two-set lead on Friday

Second seed Dominic Thiem is one set away from his first US Open final. The Austrian saved a set point in the second-set tie-break and leads third seed Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 7-6(7) in their semi-final clash on Friday. Thiem is the first player to take a set off Medvedev this fortnight.

Medvedev arrived to the match having only been broken three times in 68 service games. Thiem failed to convert his first two break points, but a controversial moment on his third opportunity at 3-2 gave him the first break of the night.

The third seed hit a first serve that was called good and Thiem cracked a backhand return that the Russian didn’t attempt to move for. Medvedev attempted to challenge the call thinking his serve landed long — as a Hawkeye review shown on the broadcast proved correct — but was denied by the chair umpire, who insisted that Thiem hit the return before the challenge was made. As a frustrated Medvedev pleaded his case, Thiem told the umpire to let him challenge. The call ultimately stood and Medvedev later apologised to the Austrian for the disruption in play.

But the moment threw Medvedev off mentally and Thiem capitalised. He took eight of the next nine points to grab the early advantage.

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Medvedev quickly regrouped and broke Thiem to start the second set after the Austrian played an uncharacteristically patchy game. The 24-year-old also began to impose himself more on serve. Medvedev won 65 per cent of first-serve points in the opening set, but that number exceeded 90 per cent late in the second set.

But first deliveries inside the service box were few and far between when Medvedev served for the set at 5-4. Thiem capitalised and opened the game with a pair of baseline winners, then broke as the Russian dumped a forehand into the net. An epic six-deuce game followed at 5-5 as Thiem fought through visible nerves by charging the net behind aggressive forehand approaches. He bravely fought off five break points before holding with a forehand winner.

Thiem erased a set point with a big serve at 5/6 in the tie-break, only to see Medvedev match that effort serving at 6/7. But at an ill-advised drop shot from the third seed at 7/7 landed in the middle of the court and Thiem crunched a forehand winner for another set point. He made good on the second opportunity with another aggressive forehand and took a commanding advantage.

The grueling rallies took their toll on the Austrian, though. He received a medical timeout at the end of the second set for treatment on his left ankle.

Thiem holds a 2-1 lead against Medvedev in their ATP Head2Head rivalry, but Medvedev won their most recent match at 2019 Montreal. Medvedev only lost four games and won 16 of the first 17 points in the second set of their quarter-final clash.

The winner of this match will face Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final. The fifth seed rallied from two sets down to defeat No. 20 seed Pablo Carreno Busta. Thiem holds a 7-2 lead in his ATP Head2Head rivalry with Zverev and has won their past three matches. Medvedev trails Zverev 1-5 in their ATPHead2Head series, but picked up his lone win on hard courts in the 2019 Shanghai final

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