Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from representing India in tennis following his exit from the Paris Olympics. Partnering with N Sriram Balaji, Bopanna lost to French duo Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in the men’s doubles first round.
Bopanna, who has been a significant figure in Indian tennis for 22 years, shared his reflections on his career. “This will definitely go down as my last event for the country,” Bopanna stated. He acknowledged his long tenure, saying, “I never imagined I’d represent India for two decades. It’s been an incredible journey.”
Highlighting his career, Bopanna mentioned his memorable Davis Cup win against Ricardo Mello in 2010 as a standout moment. He also recalled the camaraderie with teammates like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and his achievement of becoming a Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 in men’s doubles.
Looking to the future, Bopanna expressed interest in contributing to Indian tennis through the All India Tennis Association (AITA) but emphasized he would only pursue such roles after retiring from competitive play.
Reflecting on his final match, Bopanna praised the atmosphere, noting the enthusiastic local support and the challenge posed by Monfils. He acknowledged Balaji’s performance and encouraged his partner to continue developing his skills.
“I’m grateful for the support and experiences I’ve had,” Bopanna concluded, looking forward to enjoying his time in the tennis circuit while cherishing his legacy with Indian tennis.
