In a significant achievement for Pakistan's sporting youth, rising tennis prodigy Shayan Afridi has secured an international title by winning the El Paso Sports Commission Junior Open Tennis Tournament in the Under-14 category. The tournament was held in Texas, United States.
Dominant Victory on American Soil
Shayan Afridi displayed remarkable skill and composure throughout the competition, culminating in a commanding performance in the final. At the El Paso Tennis Club, he overpowered local player Andrew Hiotellkis with a decisive 4–0 victory. His authoritative play not only earned him the championship trophy but also reinforced his growing reputation on the competitive international junior tennis circuit.
Strategic International Exposure Program
This success is part of a structured international training initiative. Shayan is currently in the United States along with fellow Pakistani junior player Rashid Ali. Their journey began at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship in Miami, where both athletes earned a spot in the main draw—a notable feat given the tournament's elite global field.
Following the Orange Bowl, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), in collaboration with the BARD Foundation, organized a specialized one-month training and competition program in Texas for the duo. During this period, the young talents have been honing their skills under the expert guidance of renowned ATP-Certified coach Eduardo VicencuoLalovic, while actively participating in local tournaments to gain crucial match experience.
PTF Leadership Hails Success and Future Promise
PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi enthusiastically praised the accomplishments of both players. "Shayan Afridi and Rashid Ali are extremely talented young players and represent the future of Pakistan tennis," he stated. "Competing in the main draw of the Junior Orange Bowl is a major accomplishment. Both boys proved their potential by performing at that level."
Aisam emphasized the federation's commitment to its junior development pathway. "With the support of the BARD Foundation, we sent these players to Texas for specialised training, and the results are already visible. Shayan’s tournament victory is a clear indication that our junior development pathway is moving in the right direction," he added. He further noted that such programs are vital for building confidence, discipline, and match temperament in young athletes.
Echoing these sentiments, the PTF Secretary also congratulated Shayan Afridi on his outstanding achievement, stating that the federation's focused efforts on nurturing young talent are beginning to yield positive and encouraging results.
