Pakistanis seek end to Israeli pairing

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, a Muslim, joined Amir Hadad, an Israeli Jew, in the Wimbledon qualifying tournament in doubles and won two rounds before getting into the main draw.

Syed Dilawar Abbas, president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, said Tuesday he had written to Qureshi demanding an explanation for his decision to play with an Israeli.

"We hope and expect that he would not repeat this mistake in future," Abbas said.

Abbas said Haq had not obtained permission from the Pakistan Tennis Federation for pairing with an Israeli player.

After they were eliminated from Wimbledon in the third round Monday, Qureshi and Hadad said they had teamed up because they knew each other and respected each other's tennis ability.

"I never thought it was going to become such a big thing," Qureshi said. "We're not here to change anything: politicians and governments do that."

The two, who have known each other for two or three years from playing lower-tier Challenger events, may team up again for the U.S. Open.

"It's the first time I've made it to the main draw of a Grand Slam -- with him," Qureshi said. "I wouldn't mind, for sure. I don't like to interfere religion or politics into sport."

Hadad agreed.

"We are good friends, and I think we're going to keep playing together in the future," he said.

Qureshi said he has played with an Israeli partner before -- "in smaller events, Futures and stuff. I know all the Israelis on the tour."