ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan is set to host two ITF W15 women’s tennis tournaments to be held in Islamabad starting on the 5th of October 2026 to improve the stature of women’s tennis within the country as Pakistan prepares for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup.
Pakistan Tennis Federation announced that two consecutive tournaments will be held with $15,000 in prize money for each tournament, and it will also be the first time in history that Pakistan hosts two ITF Women’s Future tournaments consecutively.
The Federation added that the announcement is in line with their initiative to strengthen women’s tennis by providing local players with a chance to compete at home in international events.
PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi declared that the Federation already has set strong competition for men with ITF Men’s Future events and has extended this program to women as well.
According to him, the upcoming events will allow Pakistani female players to earn ranking points without having the burden of traveling to foreign lands. He stated that it will give Pakistani women players exposure in international events and competition within the country will give them more opportunities to gain exposure without traveling abroad.
Qureshi further added that “These tournaments would also help us prepare for the forthcoming Billie Jean King Cup as the Pakistani girls get more chances to hone their skills in an international atmosphere”.
Expected Players for Tennis Tournaments
Some of the key players who are expected to benefit from this initiative are: Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab, Soha Ali, Romaisa Malik, Bismal Zia, Meheq Khokhar, Zunaisha Noor, Zainab Ali Raja, Fatima Ali Raja, and Laibah Durab, along with other players.
The Pakistan Women’s Tennis Association, which was formed in 2024, also supports these initiatives to develop and improve women’s tennis in Pakistan. Pakistan Women Tennis Association President Asma Khawar Khawaja stated that “Hosting of two back-to-back events at the capital city will boost Pakistan’s presence in the global tennis arena and it will help in the development of future women players of the country”.
PTF Secretary General Col Zia-ud-Din Tufail mentioned that “The hosting of back-to-back events at Pakistan’s Capital is considered a historic occasion and this step will not only prove beneficial for the improvement of women’s tennis in the country but will also allow local girls to get much-needed exposure with an international environment right here at home.”
