ISLAMABAD: In a significant development for Pakistani sports, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) announced on Monday that the country will host two consecutive ITF W15,000 USD Women’s Futures tournaments in Islamabad, scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026. The events will take place ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup.
This achievement represents a groundbreaking milestone for Pakistan and the PTF, as it will be the first time that two back-to-back ITF Women’s Futures competitions with a prize money of $15,000 each are organized within the nation.
The move underscores the federation’s dedication to advancing women’s tennis and creating more opportunities for international competition within Pakistan. PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi highlighted the significance, stating, “While we’ve previously provided strong platforms for our male players through ITF Men’s Futures tournaments, we are now proud to host two women’s events at this level. This offers our female athletes a chance to earn ranking points and gain valuable international experience without the need for extensive travel.”
Qureshi added that the tournaments will serve as vital preparation for Pakistan’s women players ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup, offering an invaluable opportunity to compete at home. Talented players such as Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab, Soha Ali, Romaisa Malik, Bismal Zia, Meheq Khokhar, Zunaisha Noor, Zainab Ali Raja, Fatima Ali Raja, and Laibah Durab are expected to benefit from these initiatives.
The Pakistan Women’s Tennis Association (PWTA), founded in 2024 under the leadership of the PTF President, continues to champion the growth and empowerment of women in the sport. PWTA President Asma Khawar Khawaja expressed her optimism, saying, “Hosting these $15,000 USD tournaments enhances Pakistan’s standing in international tennis and underscores our commitment to developing women’s tennis and nurturing future champions.”
Col Zia-ud-Din Tufail, the Secretary General of the PTF, emphasized the importance of this achievement, noting, “Organizing back-to-back W-15000 USD events is a major milestone that will significantly boost our players’ international exposure while playing on home soil.”
