Pakistan Tennis Federation’s affairs are in doldrums due to personal interests that clearly trump sports’ promotion. Despite having a checkered legacy of some individual flashes of brilliance and long performance slump tennis as a national sports has always evoked enthusiasm amongst sports aficionados. The failure to tap into the talent pool of the youth and the lack of a sedulous grooming regimen has left Pakistan tennis at the mercy of individual ambitions of the tried and tested faces that have miserably failed to create a pool of young players capable of competing at the international level.
As Pakistan’s women’s tennis team suffers one of its worst performances in international competition, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has drawn criticism, not for addressing the decline, but for organizing a thanksgiving ceremony celebrating a still-contested court decision.
Women Team
Under the current federation In 2024, for the first time in its history, Pakistan’s women’s team was relegated to the lowest tier of Asia/Oceania Group III of the Billie Jean King Cup. The team’s performance was dismal.
To shift the narrative, PTF issued press releases showing former star and president Ptf Aisam-ul-Haq posing with the team and claiming he had personally trained the players. However, the results told a different story. The team barely managed a win against low-ranked Tajikistan before suffering heavy defeats to Turkmenistan and Myanmar.
In the recently held Billie Jean King Cup – Asia/Oceania Group III in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from June 17 to 21, 2025 –
Pakistan’s women’s team suffered its worst defeat yet. As a result, Pakistan did not advance to Group II and remained in Group III for the next year. They ended the tournament without achieving a promotion spot, remaining stuck in the same lowest tier.
Furthermore, top player Ushna Suhail lost to a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Turkmenistan and later walked off the court mid-match against Myanmar, with the match poised at 3–3, a move that drew widespread criticism from both fans and officials.
Federation Celebrates Court Order Instead of Sporting Wins
Amid this sporting decline, PTF organized a thanksgiving ceremony at its Tennis Complex in Islamabad, citing a recent Islamabad High Court decision in its favor as a “victory.” But such celebrations are typically reserved for athletic achievements, not unresolved legal matters. The court merely directed aggrieved parties to present their case before the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), leaving the final outcome undecided.
Resignations and Internal Discontent
Further deepening the crisis within Pakistan tennis, PTF head coach Asim Shafiq and assistant coach Noman-ul-Haq tendered their resignations from the National Training Center (NTC) earlier this year. According to credible sources, their decision was not abrupt but stemmed from months of growing frustration over the PTF’s poor management practices, inconsistent policies, and an overall lack of seriousness toward player development and national representation.
Insiders revealed that the coaches felt increasingly sidelined in key decisions and were demoralized by the absence of a structured training program, limited resources, and frequent interference by non-technical officials. The situation reportedly reached a breaking point when their professional recommendations were repeatedly ignored, and training camps were either poorly organized or cancelled altogether, often at the last minute.
The resignation of two highly qualified, experienced, and respected coaches reflects the larger dysfunction within the federation and has sparked concern about the future of player development in Pakistan. With no immediate replacements or succession plan announced, the vacuum in technical leadership raises serious questions about the PTF’s commitment to building a sustainable development pathway for young talent.
Davis Cup Failures and Absentee Officials
The men’s Davis Cup team has also underperformed, losing recent defeat after defeat ties to India, Barbados, and Uzbekistan. In a bid to gain international exposure, top players Muzammil, Shoaib, and Nael were sent to Tunisia for three ITF tournaments. But the mission backfired: they played ten qualifying matches and secured only one win, returning without a single ATP ranking point.
Yet, while Pakistan’s Davis Cup team needs to prepare for a critical upcoming tie against Paraguay, top PTF officials are reportedly enjoying their time at Wimbledon in London, instead of overseeing training and team strategy. A loss in the next Davis Cup tie against Paraguay could push the team down to the lowest regional tier, repeating the women’s team’s fate in Asia/Oceania Group III.
BY: Hameed-ul-Haq
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect The Times Union‘ point of view
