n recent months, Pakistan's tennis landscape has been marked by a series of disappointing performances at both the men’s and women’s levels, highlighting serious concerns regarding the management and future of the sport.

A few months ago, Pakistan women’s tennis team produced its worst-ever result in its 28-year history of participation in the Fed/Billie Jean King Cup, leading to relegation from Group 2 to Group 3. Last week, Pakistan men’s team also suffered a major blow, losing to Barbados in the Davis Cup.

Despite fielding experienced players like Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan, Team Green lost the decisive doubles match. Fitness issues prevented both Aisam and Aqeel from playing the reverse singles, even though a physio, reportedly hired at a huge cost, was present.

In an unexpected move, Yousaf Khalil was fielded in the crucial match, which many saw as a surrendering of the tie. Yousaf, who lost 0-6, 0-3, had previously been thrust into the spotlight during Pakistan's Group 1 tie against India in 2019 in Kazakhstan, and is still regarded as a "youngster" by team officials.

Ironically, during the Group 1 tie, Pakistan sent a four-member team, while for the Group 2 tie against Barbados, a nine-member official contingent was dispatched, including an unknown individual seen on the Pakistan team bench in national colours. The inclusion of this individual has raised eyebrows, with many questioning his status in the Pakistan squad.

Further controversy surrounds Aisam, who according to sources close to PTF, seemed to have violated the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Constitution by appointing his own management committee. This has led to demands that management positions should be handed over to persons in a proper way and it should be done through a transparent process involving PTF council members.

To add to the string of setbacks, Pakistan’s Under-12 team was recently eliminated in the quarterfinals of a zonal competition, raising further questions about the state of tennis — women’s, men’s and juniors.

Pakistan will feature in playoffs for Group 2 against one of the 10 nations promoted from Group 3. The draw is expected in November. Pakistan's chances of staying in Group 2 stand at over 50% if they host a home tie against a weaker nation. However, a home tie against a strong nation or an away tie will place Pakistan in a precarious position, especially given the team’s poor track record in away ties, even during the prime years of Aisam and Aqeel.

With no reliable backup players, questions loom large over how the aging duo will manage future away challenges. This troubling situation calls for an urgent review of Pakistan's tennis administration and development programs to ensure the sport does not continue to decline at the international level.

When envisioning the future of tennis in Pakistan, the outlook appears rather bleak. While there are promising players capable of stepping into the shoes of veterans Aisam and Aqeel, many lack the financial resources necessary to support their training and participation in international events. Such opportunities are vital for improving rankings and fostering gradual progression through the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), International Tennis Federation (ITF), and eventually, the ATP.

Moreover, according to sources, a significant portion of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) budget and ITF grants should be allocated towards junior development. The top five male and female junior players are not being sent for international training to refine their skills and showcase their talents at global competitions. Instead, they remain confined to national tournaments and low-ranking ATF and ITF events, resulting in their absence from the top 100 in ITF rankings. Consequently, representing Pakistan in ATP events seems like a distant dream.

Rather than prioritising funding for the men’s Davis Cup team and the women’s Billie Jean King team, it would be more prudent to channel PTF resources into organising ITF junior events in Pakistan and regularly sending the top 10 or at least the top 5 juniors to ITF competitions. This approach would enable these young athletes to consistently improve their rankings and reach a level where participation in ATP tournaments becomes a tangible goal.

The fundamental issue facing tennis in Pakistan is that the true champions often hail from economically disadvantaged or middle-class backgrounds. Even those from wealthier families face overwhelming expenses related to equipment, travel, and accommodation for international competitions. Therefore, comprehensive support from the PTF, government, and corporate sector is essential for these athletes to excel at higher levels and represent Pakistan effectively, starting with ITF events and progressing to ATP tournaments.

The path to success is undeniably long and costly, but with financial backing, Pakistan can cultivate a new generation of tennis players capable of bringing home international accolades, including ATP and Grand Slam titles. Without immediate action and investment in junior development, however, the future of tennis in Pakistan will remain uncertain.