India, May 5 -- There were days when Muhammad Shoaib trained in slippers, wearing Salwar Kameez because he couldn't afford shoes and tennis apparel.

There were days when his worn-out shoes had torn soles but he kept on playing, the blisters and oozing blood bearing testimony of the pain he endured for countless hours.

Days when access to a tennis court itself meant waiting for the harsh midday heat, because only then would it be empty enough for someone like him to sneak in a session at Peshawar Club.

On Sunday in Islamabad, that same boy stood as Pakistan's newest tennis champion and only the third in his country's tennis history after Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan.

Shoaib's stunning ITF Futures title not only fulfilled a deepl...