“Last Event For Country”: Rohan Bopanna Retires From India Colors After Olympics Disappointment

It was not an ideal approach to finish his India profession however Rohan Bopanna would take the early exit from the Paris Olympics on the chin, content material that he might dwell his dream for 22 years. Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji misplaced to the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils within the males’s doubles first spherical below lights at courtroom 12 on Sunday evening. An Olympic medal has eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes’ historic singles bronze medal in Atlanta Games in 1996. Bopanna got here shut to interrupt the jinx in 2016 however completed fourth with Sania Mirza within the combined occasion.

“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 mentioned, ruling himself out from the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

He has already introduced his retirement from 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 said his fifth-rubber win against Ricardo Mello in the Davis Cup tie against Brazil in 2010 will go down as his top mement, while playing for India.

“That is certainly the one in Davis Cup historical past. That is by far my finest second , no query that that one in Chennai after which successful that five-setter doubles in Bangalore in opposition to Serbia.” “Playing with Lee, with Hesh as a captain. At that point, it was the perfect group ambiance, group camaraderie. we had with Somdev (Devverman) and me enjoying singles and all of us going and preventing it out, it was unbelievable.” “Of course, successful that my first males’s doubles the Grand Slam and changing into world No 1. I’m grateful to my spouse (Supriya), who has executed so many sacrifices on this journey.” Bopanna has been helping India’s doubles players with his support programme and would not mind if he gets chance to be involved in the running of the AITA in future.

“I’ll absolutely take a look at these positions when I’m able to do it. I do not wish to do it whereas I’m nonetheless competing and travelling as a result of then I will be unable to offer my hundred p.c dedication in the direction of that.” Talking about Sunday’s match, Bopanna said Monfils’ presence across the court made a huge difference. Monfils had replaced Fabien Reboul at the last minute.

“This man Monfils informed me that it was the perfect doubles match that he has performed. He additionally was seeing the ball after enjoying that singles match (earlier). He was hitting the ball extraordinarily heavy. They served at a particularly excessive share even the regardless of that we nonetheless had our probabilities,” 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 later the doubles match.

When Moutet was down a break, the crowd even sang the national anthem to cheers their players. Bopanna said it was amazing atmosphere.

“I do not suppose I’ve performed in this type of ambiance even in Davis Cup in India. I do not suppose we get a synchronized form of a crowd, who’s singing and leaping and cheering I’ve at all times seen it like in Europe in Davis Cup ties or in (1:30) South America.” “But the wonderful half was they have been extraordinarily respectful when the tennis was being performed.” Balaji lost his serve at crucial times, feeling the nerves but Bopanna said his partner played extremely well.

“I informed him he ought to be extraordinarily happy with the best way he performed. There are some things he can positively work on and take this as an awesome instance transferring ahead,” he mentioned.

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