Pakistan’s promising junior tennis players, Shayan Afridi and Rashid Ali, delivered an outstanding performance to secure the El Paso Junior Open doubles title at the El Paso Tennis Club in Texas, USA.
The two young players are currently in the United States and recently competed in the highly regarded Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship in Miami during the second week of December, said a press release.
Entry into the main draw of this tournament is considered a major milestone, as it attracts the finest junior talent from around the world.
After the conclusion of the Orange Bowl Championship, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), with the support of the BARD Foundation, facilitated a one-month training and competition tour in Texas for Shayan Afridi and Rashid Ali. The program is being conducted under the guidance of renowned ATP-Certified Coach Eduardo Vicencuo Lalovic.
Continuing his excellent form, Shayan Afridi captured the singles title at the same venue last week, and together with Rashid Ali, followed it up by winning the doubles title, underlining the duo’s steady improvement and competitive growth.
Commenting on their success, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President-PTF, said, Shayan Afridi and Rashid Ali are exceptionally talented young players and symbolize the bright future of Pakistan tennis. Gaining entry into the main draw of the Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship is a remarkable achievement, considering the high level of competition from the world’s top junior players. Both players demonstrated their potential by competing confidently at that level.
The President-PTF also thanked the BARD Foundation for sponsoring the tour and the one-month training program in the United States.
The President-PTF once again expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Consulate General, Lahore, for the prompt issuance of visas to the players.
Col. (R) Zia-ud-din Tufail, Secretary General of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, also expressed his happiness and congratulated both players on their outstanding success. He also thanked the BARD Foundation for sponsoring the tour.