NEW DELHI: Rohan Bopanna‘s journey in Indian tennis came to a close, albeit not in the ideal manner, as he and his partner N Sriram Balaji were defeated by the French pair of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in the opening round of the men’s doubles event at the Paris Olympics.
The match, played under the lights on court 12 on Sunday evening, marked the end of Bopanna’s 22-year-long dream of representing his nation.
Since Leander Paes’ momentous singles bronze medal victory at the Atlanta Games in 1996, an Olympic medal has remained elusive for Indian tennis players.
Bopanna had a close encounter with breaking this dry spell in 2016 when he partnered with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles event, but the duo had to settle for a fourth-place finish.
Despite the disappointment of an early exit, Bopanna remains satisfied with his tennis career and the opportunity to live his dream for over two decades. He accepts the outcome with grace and looks back on his journey with a sense of fulfillment.
“This will definitely go down as my last event for the country. I totally understand where I am and now, I am just going to be enjoying the tennis circuit as long as that goes,” Bopanna said, as quoted by PTI, ruling himself out from the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Bopanna has already declared his decision to bid farewell to the Davis Cup
“This is already a big bonus for where I am. I never even thought that I’ll be representing India for two decades. Right from 2002, making my debut and 22 years later still getting to represent India. I’m extremely proud of that,” he added with child-like joy in his voice.
Bopanna has had many memorable moments throughout his career. However, he considers his victory against Ricardo Mello in the fifth rubber of the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most significant achievement while representing India.
“That is definitely the one in Davis Cup history. That is by far my best moment , no question that that one in Chennai and then winning that five-setter doubles in Bangalore against Serbia.”
“Playing with Lee, with Hesh as a captain. At that time, it was the best team atmosphere, team camaraderie. we had with Somdev (Devverman) and me playing singles and all of us going and fighting it out, it was incredible.”
“Of course, winning that my first men’s doubles the Grand Slam and becoming world No 1. I am thankful to my wife (Supriya), who has done so many sacrifices in this journey.”
Bopanna has been assisting India’s doubles players with his support program and would not mind getting the chance to be involved in the running of the AITA in the future.
“I will surely look at those positions when I am ready to do it. I don’t want to do it while I am still competing and travelling because then I will not be able to give my hundred percent commitment towards that.”
Discussing Sunday’s match, Bopanna said Monfils’ presence across the court made a huge difference. Monfils had replaced Fabien Reboul at the last minute.
“This guy Monfils told me that it was the best doubles match that he has played. He also was seeing the ball after playing that singles match (earlier). He was hitting the ball extremely heavy. They served at an extremely high percentage even the despite that we still had our chances,” he said.
The fan support for the local players was immense when the Indians played on Sunday, whether it was Sumit Nagal taking on Corentin Moutet in the singles or the doubles match later on.
When Moutet was down a break, the crowd even sang the national anthem to cheers their players. Bopanna said it was amazing atmosphere.
“I don’t think I have played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India. I don’t think we get a synchronized kind of a crowd, who’s singing and jumping and cheering I’ve always seen it like in Europe in Davis Cup ties or in (1:30) South America.”
“But the amazing part was they were extremely respectful when the tennis was being played.”
Balaji lost his serve at crucial times, feeling the nerves but Bopanna said his partner played extremely well.
“I told him he should be extremely proud of the way he played. There are a few things he can definitely work on and take this as a great example moving forward,” he said.
The match, played under the lights on court 12 on Sunday evening, marked the end of Bopanna’s 22-year-long dream of representing his nation.
Since Leander Paes’ momentous singles bronze medal victory at the Atlanta Games in 1996, an Olympic medal has remained elusive for Indian tennis players.
Bopanna had a close encounter with breaking this dry spell in 2016 when he partnered with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles event, but the duo had to settle for a fourth-place finish.
Despite the disappointment of an early exit, Bopanna remains satisfied with his tennis career and the opportunity to live his dream for over two decades. He accepts the outcome with grace and looks back on his journey with a sense of fulfillment.
“This will definitely go down as my last event for the country. I totally understand where I am and now, I am just going to be enjoying the tennis circuit as long as that goes,” Bopanna said, as quoted by PTI, ruling himself out from the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Bopanna has already declared his decision to bid farewell to the Davis Cup
“This is already a big bonus for where I am. I never even thought that I’ll be representing India for two decades. Right from 2002, making my debut and 22 years later still getting to represent India. I’m extremely proud of that,” he added with child-like joy in his voice.
Bopanna has had many memorable moments throughout his career. However, he considers his victory against Ricardo Mello in the fifth rubber of the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most significant achievement while representing India.
“That is definitely the one in Davis Cup history. That is by far my best moment , no question that that one in Chennai and then winning that five-setter doubles in Bangalore against Serbia.”
“Playing with Lee, with Hesh as a captain. At that time, it was the best team atmosphere, team camaraderie. we had with Somdev (Devverman) and me playing singles and all of us going and fighting it out, it was incredible.”
“Of course, winning that my first men’s doubles the Grand Slam and becoming world No 1. I am thankful to my wife (Supriya), who has done so many sacrifices in this journey.”
Bopanna has been assisting India’s doubles players with his support program and would not mind getting the chance to be involved in the running of the AITA in the future.
“I will surely look at those positions when I am ready to do it. I don’t want to do it while I am still competing and travelling because then I will not be able to give my hundred percent commitment towards that.”
Discussing Sunday’s match, Bopanna said Monfils’ presence across the court made a huge difference. Monfils had replaced Fabien Reboul at the last minute.
“This guy Monfils told me that it was the best doubles match that he has played. He also was seeing the ball after playing that singles match (earlier). He was hitting the ball extremely heavy. They served at an extremely high percentage even the despite that we still had our chances,” he said.
The fan support for the local players was immense when the Indians played on Sunday, whether it was Sumit Nagal taking on Corentin Moutet in the singles or the doubles match later on.
When Moutet was down a break, the crowd even sang the national anthem to cheers their players. Bopanna said it was amazing atmosphere.
“I don’t think I have played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India. I don’t think we get a synchronized kind of a crowd, who’s singing and jumping and cheering I’ve always seen it like in Europe in Davis Cup ties or in (1:30) South America.”
“But the amazing part was they were extremely respectful when the tennis was being played.”
Balaji lost his serve at crucial times, feeling the nerves but Bopanna said his partner played extremely well.
“I told him he should be extremely proud of the way he played. There are a few things he can definitely work on and take this as a great example moving forward,” he said.
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