It's lonely at the top. In fact, it's solitary existence in the middle too. Not for nothing do players call it the “lonely tour”. But ask Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and he'll tell you why his time on the ATP circuit is an especially forlorn one.
“I am the only Pakistani on the circuit, so it can get a little depressing. But I'm glad there are guys like Rohan (Bopanna), Mahesh (Bhupathi) and Leander (Paes) around,” he says on the sidelines of a practice court on Friday.
In the city for the season-opening Chennai Open, Qureshi, a 50-percent stakeholder in the Indo-Pak tennis enterprise, says being around with Bopanna has illumined to him both positive and negative facets of his partner, and although he's grateful for the pluses, he doesn't really abhor the minuses.
“All people are different. I am not perfect either,” Qureshi says, “But Rohan's a highly independent guy, which is something I admire because I am not that way at all.
“We watch a lot of movies together, mainly Bollywood stuff, and hang out when we have the time.”
Spending time with Bopanna has its own pitfalls, especially when their preferences barely coincide outside the universe of Hindi potboilers.
“I like spicy food, while he likes it bland. I like all kinds of music, especially heavy metal, but Rohan's tastes are slightly different.”
Thickest line
More importantly, it is football that draws the thickest line between the two.
Qureshi is a Reds fanatic. Bopanna's heart beats for the Red Devils. And never the twain shall meet, except on court, one of which might just straddle their countries within its 78 feet expanse.
There are plans to arrange a match between the two on the Wagah border, with one half of the court on either side of the international divide.
“One of Rohan's friends suggested it and we really liked the idea. We have sent applications to the authorities concerned and are waiting for the green signal. Every match that I play with Rohan promotes our countries, and if we can get along so well together, there is no reason that other Indians and Pakistanis can't do the same,” he says.
Talking shop, Qureshi says he has pinned his hopes on a successful 2011, after a U.S. Open final and a Wimbledon quarterfinal in 2010. The two did not make the cut for the year-end World Tour Finals either. All the losses, says Qureshi, will be righted this coming season. .
“We beat most of the top teams in 2010. If we play well, there is no reason why we cannot win a Major in 2011.”
