UAE tennis star Zoha Asim wins ATF Tournament in Pakistan
A 14-year-old UAE tennis star Zoha Asim is ready to go places after winning her first major international title in Pakistan.
Zoha proved her class to win the ATF Pakistan 14 and Under Tennis Championship 2016 by defeating a top Pakistan player Ridha Khan in the finals twice.
The Oxford School, Dubai, student displayed her tenacity to beat her rival in the second leg of the competition in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 despite carrying a wrist injury.
“It was a huge accomplishment for me because it was the first international tournament I have ever won,” said Zoha who has already tasted success in an Under 18 tournament organised by the Pakistan Tennis Federation in July last year.
She lived up to her top ranking in the ATF competition by winning a marathon two-hour final against Ridha Khan in the first leg.
Zoha won the first set 7-5 before bouncing back after conceding the second 1-6 to prevail in a thrilling duel in the decider 6-4 at an indoor court in Islamabad.
“When I won the first leg of the tournament, I had mixed feelings. Actually, I was shocked, overjoyed and just surprised that I did it. I really couldn’t believe it at first that I won the tournament,” said Zoha who has taken to the sport since the age of nine.
“I started playing in a club with the help of my parents and my love for tennis has been growing over time. I played tournaments and started winning,” recalled Zoha who attributes her success to her parents, coach Chekib Jemai and her Physical Trainer Mohammad Abrar who accompanied her for the Pakistan tournament.
Zoha's ambition is to become world number one.
“It’s my dream. I hope it comes true. I will just work hard and put all of my best into what I’m doing,” said Zoha whose role models are Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
She is already thinking like a professional, training at least six hours a day and plans to travel abroad for training and compete in ITF tournaments during the summer.
“I’m working hard to get even better results. There are no limits. I’m mentally strong because of belief in parents, coach and trainer,” said Zoha, describing herself as an “aggressive baseline player”.
Her determination to succeed is evident from the fact that she played in the ATF final despite carrying a wrist injury.
“While practicing for the final, she suffered a tear in cartilage in wrist bone. I told her not to play but she was very adamant to play final saying ‘I can’t just let it go like this. I have reached final, so I will play’. She put a bandage in wrist and played and she won,” said Zoha’s proud father Asim Kaleem, a veteran UAE cricketer.