NEW YORK // With tensions mounting in the disputed region of Kashmir, a tennis doubles partnership between players from India and Pakistan could offer a little sporting diplomacy to ease relations between rival nations. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, from Lahore, and Rohan Bopanna, from Bangalore, have been dubbed the Indo-Pak Express for their cross-border union and are currently enjoying their best year yet, qualifying for the French and US Opens.
They were expected to face stiff competition in the form of French duo Sebastien Grosjean and Marc Gicquel in the first round of the US Open this morning, weather permitting. As they battled it out on the tarmac, tensions mounted back home in Indian-administered Kashmir with pro-independence protests marking the latest dispute since the two countries partitioned in 1947. But according to Qureshi, the on-court unity shared with his partner can only serve to reinforce the bonds of commonality shared by South Asia's nuclear rivals.
"Everybody is just happy that we are doing well in our careers and making tennis more popular. There is no criticism from anyone," he said. "With Pakistan and India, we speak the same language and have pretty much the same culture. People are very friendly and loving." Both men believe that the sporting thaw, which has seen the two countries' cricket teams undertake reciprocal tours, will continue in tennis.
The duo, both 28, who are close friends and have played together in a host of mostly low-key tournaments since 2002, rate themselves as playing at their all-time best and challenge opponents with first-rate teamwork. They have won three recent ATP doubles titles - in Segovia, Spain, and the British cities of Manchester and Nottingham. Their grand slam debut in the men's doubles at the French Open ended quickly, however, when they had the misfortune to come up against the world's top pair, Mike and Bob Bryan of the United States, and crashed to a 6-1 6-4 defeat.
Qureshi is no stranger to controversy when it comes to choosing doubles partners - he was denounced by Pakistan's tennis federation and threatened with a Davis Cup ban after deciding to play at Wimbledon with Israel's Amir Hadad in 2002. But Pakistan's top player remains unphased by the furore. "I stuck to what I thought was right," he said. "I still believe you cannot mix politics or religion in sports?that's the beauty of it, and you just have to keep it that way."
jreinl@thenational.ae