Dubai: He came to know of the break-up just ahead of his marriage and the news came as a shock to the Pakistani half of Indo-Pak Express. Tipped for further glory after their amazing two-year run from 2010 which saw them reach the US Open final in 2010, win a Masters 1000 title in Paris last year, rise to No. 5 in world rankings and qualify for the year-ending ATP World Tour final in London, Aisam- ul-Haq Qureshi was left stunned when his ‘other half' Rohan Bopanna decided to end their relationship after the London event.
Speaking to XPRESS on the sidelines of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, one of Pakistan sports' most recognisable faces said: "I only came to know that Rohan was ending the partnership about two months before London and yes, just before my marriage."
"It was after the Shanghai Masters and it left me a bit stumped to be honest. I was surprised, obviously didn't see that coming.
"But then, as a professional sportsman I respect his decision. He said he wanted to give me time to find a new partner, hence the two-month notice. He also said he wanted to partner an Indian player since 2012 is the Olympics year and he wanted to win a medal," Qureshi added.
The Indo-Pak Express made all the right noises during their two-year partnership. Following the US Open final in 2010, Qureshi made an impassioned plea to Americans to view Pakistanis in a more favourable light. "For me, peace is the only way to move. During our partnership this was our message to the world and it was a good cause to play for," he said.
Qureshi has received many peace awards, something that goes with his choice of partners, first Israeli Amir Haddad and then Bopanna.
"It's not something I do consciously," he said, adding: "For me they are just tennis players. I have never thought of making headlines with my choice of partners."
So, is he a star back in his country?
"Well...people do recognise me and come up to me for autographs and to pose for photos. But then I don't get mobbed. The culture is a bit different from in India," he said.
The former world No. 8 is no stranger to Dubai having been here on many occasions. "I have played at this event before obviously and I also remember having won a Futures title way back in 2007. I have friends and relatives here and it feels like home," he said.
Despite trying to find his way back with new partner Jean-Julien Rojer, the duo losing a close first-round match here, Qureshi's goals for the year remain haven't changed. "I intend to stay in the top 10 to make it to the Olympics. I also want play in the year-end championships again," he said.
