Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and India's Rohan Bopanna are aiming to play an extraordinary tennis match to promote peace between the two countries -- using the famous Wagah border as the net.
Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and India's Rohan Bopanna are aiming to play an extraordinary tennis match to promote peace between the two countries -- using the famous Wagah border as the net.
The duo were knocked out of the Wimbledon's men's doubles quarter-finals here on Wednesday -- their best-ever Grand Slam performance -- but caused a stir by wearing jackets emblazoned with the slogan 'Stop War, Start Tennis'.
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The pair will be wearing the tracksuit tops when they play at the US Open and are mulling over a new logo to decorate them with in New York.
And now they are seeking permission to face each other with the net on the Radcliffe Line that has divided the village of Wagah since 1947, with Qureshi playing on the Indian side and Bopanna on the Pakistani side.
"It is an idea we have had but there is a lot of time before we get to it because both countries have to approve it first and that is the process that is going on," Bopanna told AFP.
"The idea is there for him to play in India and me to play in Pakistan.
"That is the idea but it needs to be approved and until that happens nothing can be done."
Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan. Every evening, thousands gather to watch the colourful flag-lowering ceremonies there and the energetic soldiers' parade.
The border post is often seen as a symbol of the tension between the two countries.
But Bopanna and Qureshi hope their continuing friendship, on and off the tennis court, will help encourage a more peaceful relationship between the neighbours.
"The first time I went to India I was 16 and Rohan was their top junior," Qureshi said.
"I have played with a lot of Indians before but there are no Pakistanis on the tour and India is definitely the closest to Pakistan and he has been my best friend on the tour.
"We share the same language, we share the same culture and concepts so it makes life much easier on the road.
"In the beginning we didn't realise the importance of our relationship and partnership.
"But we realised that looking at the bigger picture, if we could send a positive message to the people in Pakistan and in India then it is a really good thing.
"We have had three wars against each other. We used to be one country but we got separated -- there are still a lot of diplomatic tensions but at the end of the day on either side the people are very, very friendly and loving.
"Every time I have gone to India I have been treated with respect and people really like me there.
"It has been a great experience every time I go there and the message is not to bring politics, culture and religion into sports.
"That is what we are trying to give out to the people. If we can both get along well then I am sure a lot of other Pakistanis and Indians can get along as well. If we can change a few people's minds it is a very positive thing.
"Here you could see Indian and Pakistani people sitting together supporting one team. It is a nice thing to see."
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