Meheq Khokhar - A rising star

Meheq Khokhar is a prominent Pakistani female tennis player who has left an indelible mark on both national and international tennis circuits. Khokhar’s tennis journey began at a young age when she was selected as an international representative for Pakistan at the age of 12. At 15 and 16 years old, she also won a main draw match in a professional international tournament, marking her as a rising star in the sport. Awarded a prestigious tennis scholarship, Khokhar pursued her studies in the USA at a Division 1 university, known for its exceptional athletic programmes. Throughout her undergraduate years, she demonstrated remarkable dedication and skill as both a student and an athlete.

On the national stage, Khokhar has clinched gold and silver medals in the National Games of 2019 and 2023, respectively, solidifying her dominance in Pakistani tennis. She has also been an integral part of the national team, representing Pakistan in various prestigious events, including the Billie Jean King Cup, the Asian Games, and the Junior Billie Jean King Cup Islamic Games tennis event in 2017.

In July 2023, Khokhar participated in the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup held in Malaysia, leading her team to victory against Guam and Turkmenistan. She emerged as the All-Pakistan National Singles and Doubles title winner, securing back-to-back National Singles titles and notably clinching the 7th Memorial Women’s National Singles Championship.

Apart from playing tennis, Meheq Khokhar is also a prominent sports presenter. Leveraging her deep understanding of sports and eloquent communication skills, she has become a sought-after voice in the sports broadcasting arena. With a passion for sharing insights and analysis, Khokhar’s dual role as an athlete and presenter further exemplifies her multifaceted contribution to the world of sports. In an exclusive interview with You! Khokhar shares her passion for tennis. Read on…

You! Growing up, which women in sports did you look up to?

Meheq Khokhar: There were too many but one name that stood out for me was Serena Williams.

You! When did you develop an interest in tennis?

MK: I grew up playing different sports but when my dad took me to the tennis court, I was about 8 then, that’s when everything changed and I fell in love with this sport.

You! What gives you an edge over others and which strategies help you to win matches?

MK: It’s my ability to keep fighting on the court and being a fighter. I think I have been gifted with good athleticism and quickness on my feet but I have worked hard to make it better and use it as an asset. Also, I have been lucky to have great coaches who keep me motivated to perform better and better.

You! What is your biggest fear when it comes to playing in front of large crowds?

MK: You obviously want the crowd to enjoy the match, keep it intense and exciting; however, at the same time you have to keep your focus within the lines of the court so when you are focused you hardly think about the crowd. So, the element of fear is not there. If you are focused on your game, the fear will go away.

You! What do you think is the best thing about playing in international tournaments?

MK: I am on cloud nine whenever I represent my country internationally; there is absolutely no feeling like it at all. The best thing about playing in international tournaments is that you get to know where you stand which can make you analyse and improve your game. It also expands your horizons and gives you an exposure. It also gives you an opportunity to mingle with players from different regions and countries and get to know them better and build friendships.

You! What has been your most career-defining moment that you are proud of?

MK: When I first represented my country on an international level.

You! What is your fitness regimen?

MK: I usually play two hours in the mornings then I go to gym in the evenings.

You! Do you always eat healthy food?

MK: I listen to my body. The food you consume according to what suits your body and mind makes a huge difference. There are certain foods that I know don’t suit me and therefore I avoid them in order for my body to perform better. At the same time, however, I usually eat everything and in big amounts.

You! What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports in Pakistan?

MK: I feel very lucky and privileged. Women don’t usually take up sports in our country, so to be the very small percentage to do so and to be able to represent my country globally in doing so makes me feel very blessed and grateful.

You! What do you think is the biggest barrier in driving the visibility of women’s sports in Pakistan?

MK: I think the biggest barrier has been lack of support. Our social set up does not encourage girls to take up sports. There is no system or organisation that facilitates our girls who want to play. Then there are financial issues too, if you want to play in international tournaments then obviously you need sponsors, sadly no one wants to invest in girls’ sports (with the exception of few). No wonder you see very few women players.

You! What should be done to promote sports in Pakistan, especially for women?

MK: There should be international competitions in the country so people don’t have to struggle to find sponsors to travel abroad. State-of-the-art facilities should be made available within the country. They should be promoted and more awareness should be spread about for how women are breaking barriers and doing something different in our country in a positive manner and they should be supported and promoted in any ways and means they can.

You! What advice would you give to young girls who are just starting off in sports?

MK: Believe in yourself. And never listen to those who doubt you or make you feel small. Go ahead and create new heights in the world of sports.

You! What other sports do you like besides tennis?

MK: Since I am also a sports presenter, I watch different sports including cricket. As a young kid, I used to watch WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), football, basketball a lot.

You! What does a typical day look like for you?

MK: On normal days I usually practice and then hit the gym. However, when I am travelling, participating in tournaments or when I am assigned to do a job as a sports presenter then my day-to-day schedule also changes.

You! Your philosophy of life:

MK: My philosophy of life is simple: to pray and to grow spiritually. It brings peace of mind.

You! What is your most treasured possession?

MK: My most treasured possessions are my parents, family, my extended family, my dogs and some amazing childhood friends that are there for me through thick and thin. I love them all and I like to spend time with my loved ones, indulging in meaningful conversations.

You! What did you like to read when you were a little girl?

MK: I was obsessed with the Harry Potter series. They were the best. Other than that, I loved ‘Kite Runner’ by Khalid Hosseini. Then ‘Open’, an autobiography by former professional tennis player Andre Agassi, made me cry as a kid. It’s truly an amazing book, I recommend it to everyone, even to those who are not interested in sports.

You! What is the biggest relationship lesson you have learnt so far?

MK: Create light and peace within a relationship and compromise and bite your tongue when needed because you want to go towards the path of love and light not bitterness or bad blood. Your words hold meaning, so be careful what comes out of the mouth. Spread kindness but know your boundaries and respect yourself and know when something is not okay for you to handle. Most importantly, don’t be with someone because of loneliness, be with someone because you like them as an individual regardless of how you feel and don’t need them to combat your loneliness. Then, choose a partner wisely and not get attached to the wrong person. And your relationship will grow better.

You! Where do you see women in sports 10 years from now?

MK: There is no dearth of talent in the country; I see hundreds of new and talented girls in sports. There is so much potential. If these girls are trained or groom properly, they can bring medals and trophies for our country from around the world.

You! What is your ultimate desire?

MK: To earn more accolades in order to make my country proud. And to serve my community and society in the best possible way.

Erum Noor Muzaffar is the editor of You! magazine. She can be reached at iram29@hotmail.com