P

akistan's goodwill ambassador does more than just win tennis matches. Aisam-UI-Haq Qureshi, a Muslim, believes sports and politics shouldn't be mixed. His track record suggests otherwise.

In the last few years, the No. 1 Pakistan player has teamed up with Amir Hadad, an Israeli Jew, Indians Rohan Bopanna, a Hindu, and Prakash Armitraj, a Christian.

Even if you haven't read a newspaper in the last 50-plus years, you probably know that Pakistan, a Muslim state founded in 1947, does not recognize Israel and has fought three wars with India.

Tensions between Pakistan and India flare up periodically, and consequently both countries are engaged in an arms race. So how did Qureshi end up teaming with players from countries that are Pakistan's enemies?

After Sept. 11, 2001, Qureshi discovered that people's opinions drastically changed about Pakistan. The aftermath would certainly affect his profession, one that requires continuous international travel, an average of 37 weeks per year away from his home in Pakistan.

"In the beginning, it was very difficult getting in and out of the US," Qureshi admits. "Despite *having* all the proper documents, *and despite* newspaper and magazine articles about me, airport authorities in the US would often detain me for hours for questioning. A few times I even missed my connecting flights."

"When some Americans learned that I was from Pakistan," Qureshi continues, "They would back up a little, and I could tell that they were a bit uncomfortable with what to say. I can understand why, but I would like to show the world that Pakistan is not all that you see in the media. There is so much good about Pakistan, and if I can set a positive example, then hopefully, that will change some perceptions."

"I have known all of them for a long time," says Qureshi, 29, who made the round of 16 at Wimbledon this summer by partnering Prakash Armitraj. "I am just trying to find the best possible partner."

In 2002, when he became the first Pakistani to play a Grand Slam event, Qureshi teamed up with Hadad at Wimbledon and the US Open, reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon and second round of the US Open.

He defied his country's tennis federation, which threatened to kick him off the Davis Cup team. An empty threat, it turned out, as Qureshi has continued to represent his country in the team competition.

Controversy continued to follow Qureshi, too, when he not only played Wimbledon with Hadad but also a handful of Challenger tournaments with Bhopanna.

Early on the pair won in Denver, USA, a minor-league event but major-league news in India and Pakistan, which at that time did not compete against each other in head-to-head sporting events.

"Reporters from the Indian press were calling day and night," Bhopanna remembers.

"They wanted to know why we were playing together and if we planned to play again. Then they wanted to know if we won."

For their unlikely pairing, Qureshi and Hadad received the ATP's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award and were nominated for an Award for Moral Courage by the Anne Frank House, a multi-faith, educational charity in London.

Due to his good looks and charismatic personality, Qureshi has been approached by modelling and acting agencies. Even Bollywood has shown interest.

This November, Qureshi has been invited to Monte Carlo to attend a worldwide forum by Prince Albert of Monaco's foundation, Peace and Sport.

While Qureshi has not ruled anything out, do not be surprised if he chooses a career as a diplomat. He certainly meets all the requirements to become an ambassador.

"The education I received since joining the tour has been incredible," says Qureshi. "I have seen so much of the world and the many cultures of the peoples who live in it. Playing on the international tennis circuit is not merely a profession for me. I know that I am also acting as a representative of Pakistan."

While Qureshi may be the first Pakistani to obtain a professional world ranking, he is simply carrying on a family legacy in tennis.

Beginning with his grandfather, Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, who was the number one player on the Indian continent before the partition. Continuing with his mother Nosheen Ihtsham, who received the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz Award for her tennis accomplishments as the Pakistani women's national champion for over a decade, from government of Pakistan that every year rewards an athlete for outstanding achievement in sports.

Following in his family's footsteps seemed like a logical path for the talented Qureshi who was born and resides in Lahore. However, getting started in tennis was not that simple.

"I never gave much thought to tennis when I was growing up," confesses Qureshi. "I enjoyed all sports, but it wasn't until my mom encouraged me to try tennis that I gave it a try."

Late by tennis standards, Qureshi took his first tennis lesson at the age of thirteen. But, he wasn't hooked on tennis yet.

"Like all kids in Pakistan, I wanted to play cricket," But as Qureshi admits, life on the pro tour it isn't all fun and games.

"It can be a bit much at times," he admits when describing life on the professional tennis circuit. We change hotel rooms two or three times a week, sometimes I can't even remember what room I am in. And then there is the constant time-zone change." Aisam shows his tennis tournament itinerary for the last four weeks. New York City, Kuala Lumpur, Mons, Belgium and Kolding, Denmark.

He credits his father, Ishtam for any success he has achieved.

"My father has always supported me no matter the results. Without a doubt I would not be where I am without his unconditional support."

When asked how he felt about his son's success, Ishtam drew a deep breath and exhaled.

"Of course, I am quite pleased with Aisam's tennis achievements. But as a father, I am very proud of my son and the honor he has brought to our family."