Former Davis Cupper, professional senior player and Secretary General Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) Rashid Malik, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, said in an interview that he had given his whole life to serve Pakistan in the field of tennis. Being a Pakistan number one of the country’s most celebrated Davis Cup players, he further said that I have been an integral part of national tennis since early eighties.
Rashid Malik, who won junior tennis title in Sri Lanka, his first international tour in early sixties, said, “I was only 13 years old at that time.
“Recently I won the doubles title in the ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis Championship in Jalandhar, India and I outpaced India’s Yogesh Kohli by 6-2, 6-2. This was 50 plus final which I won and this is a great honour for me that I raised Pakistan’s flag high in India in senior professional tournament.”
Rashid Malik said, “I love tennis too much and want to continue my services in tennis for my country. For the last 45 years I have won so many tournaments in Pakistan and abroad.”
Pakistan’s No 1 from 1985 to 1996, Rashid played in Davis Cup from 1984 to 1996. Member of Pakistan Davis Cup team in 1984 he reached the finals of Eastern Zone Group A. He played three singles matches and won all in 1986.
Rashid said, “I made a crucial win for Pakistan against Sri Lanka. I have represented Pakistan in Davis Cup matches from 1984 to 1996, played 18 singles and 13 doubles. I have honored as captain of Pakistan team in 24 matches and won 18 of them.
“Pakistan clinched victories against New Zealand, South Korea, China, Chines Taipel, Syria, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, UAE, Vietnam, Phillippines, Oman, etc. I was captain/coach against Iran in the quarter- final of 2017. Captain/coah of Junior Davis Cup Under-16 team in Thailand in 2019. Captain/coach of Junior Davis Cup Under-16 team of India in 2022. Captain/coach of national team for 20 years (Davis Cup).”
Rashid Malik also described about the participation in Asian Games and said, “I have participated in the Asian Games, held in New Delhi (1982), Seoul (1986) and Beijing (1990). I have represented Pakistan in the Asian Games in Korea (Bussan) as playing captain in 2002. I have also participated as captain/coach of Pakistan team in the Ist Islamic Solidarity Games 2006, held in Saudi Arabia and won all three events i.e. men’s singles, men’s doubles and team events,.
“I also have an honor to become a national coach for Ist Islamic Women Games 1996. I have completed ITF Level I coach certified, ITF Level II coach certified, ITF Level II coach certified (Sri Lanka), Asia Coaches Certified (Thailand & India).”
Rashid said, “I have participated in Japan trials and several times visited to play tennis tournament in Thailand. I am the winner of MOM Breast Cancer Charity Tournament, held in USA, New Yourk, 2014- 2015.”
Talking about the national level achievement, he said that he was No.1 in single events from 1985 to 1990 and men’s doubles in 1986-1991. He said that in National Games he had achieved two gold and four silver medals and have also honored to become a winner of 17th National Games, winner of 7th National Championship in singles category and in double category. 15 time champions on national level on gross court, eight times champions on national clay court, having 25 times champions national hard court and 10 Governor’s Cup National Championship.
Rashid said, “I have played for Pakistan for 14 years since 1982-1996 and have achieved many titles for Pakistan, which is great honor for me.” He said that as a senior tennis professional player of Pakistan I would like to say that Pakistan tennis could be revived if the government give full support to us. There are many talent in our country and there is need to groom this talent.
Rashid Malik said, “as Secretary General, Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA), I would like to say that PLTA is a setup of individuals from different walks of life, who have come together for one goal and passion. PLTA is an organization that plan each day of training/skill and competition schedule for each player.”
He said that under the PLTA we hold first high performance training camp, Pakistan tennis award ceremony, Sapphire Open National Tennis Tournament, Punjab Tennis Championship etc, and his and PLTA’s preference is to serve the country in tennis. He hoped the government will fully support tennis in future for the promotion of tennis
