Aisam has potential to reach top in tennis, says Rodrigo
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Aisam ul Haq’s Brazilian coach, Rodrigo Nascimento said on Saturday that Pakistani player (Aisam) has the potential to be among the top players in World.
He was speaking at a signing ceremony of “ the winning combination “ by Pepsi to sponsor Aisam and his coach for one year. Also present were Mariam Khan, Director Marketing, Pepsi international, parents of Aisam ul Haq and President, Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, Rao Iftikhar Ahmad and lovers of the game.
The Brazilian coach said he does not want to make tall claims that Aisam will be among top 10 or 20 in a specific time period but he was certain that he has the potential to be among the top players.
“It is a wonderful yet unbelievable accomplishment that Aisam is at 137th world wide ranking in tennis in a country where tennis is less known among youth and it is Aisam who has given it (tennis) the status of a popular game. “What ever Aisam has achieved today in tennis is because of his personal endeavour and hard work and he is a role model for tennis generation and I believe he will make further strides in the game by putting up a better show in his future endeavour “,he asserted.
Rodrigo said Aisam’s potential in doubles is sky high and he can make rapid improvement to be among top 100 in singles. Aisam is 87 in doubles at the moment. Speaking on the occasion Aisam said his immediate task is to present Pakistan in Olympics in Beijing this August.
“I am just 37 spots away from qualifying for the Olympics and If I do so, I will be the first Pakistani to play in Olympics and I am really focused to this task and I want to be in top 100 by giving my best in five tournaments ahead of Olympics “,he added.
Aisam’s father, Ihtesham ud haq informed that Pakistan tennis federation and Pakistan olympic association have made a joint representation to International Olympic Committee for awarding a wild card to Aisam for taking part in Olympics, in case he fails to qualify.
Aisam said the sponsorship deal by Pepsi would help him to further raise the level of his game and ranking and he is thankful to them for extending support to tennis.
“I want to serve tennis and this deal is a big opening for me to do more in tennis and I want to pass on my guidance to coming tennis players by conducting coaching clinics “,he said.
He said he is confident to take Pakistan to Group II of Asia Oceania of Davis Cup when Pakistan plays in Group III next month in Iran. Aisam said it was good to see that youth is taking keen interest in tennis and a lot of young players are playing tennis.
“We need to expand the base of the game by evolving maximum activity at grass root level and we need a lot of sponsorship on the pattern of cricket to inspire youth to take up tennis as a sport “, he added.
Mariam Khan of Pepsi said this sponsorship deal is initially for a year and it aims at bettering Aisam ranking by sponsoring him and his coach.