‘Record’ ten international tennis events in Pakistan this year

KARACHI: Pakistan is set to host ten international tennis events this year — a new record.

According to an official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Pakistan will host four Asian Tennis Tour (ATT) Championships — two in Lahore and two in Islamabad. These tournaments have recently been introduced in the Asian Tennis circuit.

“Each of the events will carry US$5000 as prize money. The first two will be held in Lahore from November 16-29 namely Pakistan ATT Championship and Hasan Tariq Memorial Asian Tennis Tour,” secretary PTF Khalid Rehmani told ‘The News’ on Thursday.

He added that the Serena Hotels Asian Tennis Tour will be held in Islamabad from December 12-18, while the Benazir Shaheed Asian Tennis Tour is scheduled from December 19-25.

Two national open tennis championships would also be held alongside these two ATT events in Islamabad.

“Players from 43 Asian countries, affiliated with the Asian Tennis Federation, will be eligible to participate in these Asian ranking championships,” added Rehmani.

He said that four ITF Seniors World Ranking Tournaments will also be held during October-November.

“Naveena ITF Seniors and Pakistan ITF Seniors will be held in Karachi, while ITF World Ranking and Long Beach Pakistan ITF Seniors will take place in Lahore,” he said, adding that negotiations are afoot for two more ITF Senior Championships for Faisalabad and Karachi. Two ATF 14 and under international championships were also held in Islamabad in March.