EXCLUSIVE: Rohan Bopanna speaks about battling ‘extreme’ conditions to create history at the US Open
Rohan Bopanna becomes the oldest player in history to reach the final of a Grand Slam.
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Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden (Image via Imago)
If melting Melbourne be synonymous with the heat Down Under at the Australian Open in January, this fortnight, New York has become a veritable oven. Taking control of the hostile conditions and his own body, the grand old man of Indian tennis, Rohan Bopanna teamed up with Matt Ebden to barge into the men’s singles final at the US Open.
Doubles is a sideshow at the Grand Slams. The more one witnesses tennis, the further the decline of doubles, a dying art. For the 43 years and six months old Bopanna to crank up his game and stay on top was history in the making. This way, the Indian had sneaked past Daniel Nestor, another golden oldie from Canada, to become the oldest to come this far in a Major.
Social media was filled with congratulatory messages for “RoBo,” as many people address the tall and strapping Coorgi. There was a congratulatory message from sports minister Anurag Thakur as well for Rohan Bopanna, who is supported by the TOPS program of the Indian government.
Speaking to FirstSportz from New York, Rohan was pleased as punch. “At the start of the year, I was simply planning to give it my best shot with my new partner. That we have done well and are now in the final of the US Open is a big moment for me,” said Rohan Bopanna.
Rohan Bopanna reveals how difficult the ‘hot and humid’ conditions have been at the US Open this year
The months of August and September have been hard for all New Yorkers. Heat plus high humidity has seen players struggle as well as fans collapse. Some feel there should be a “Heat Rule” like at the Australian Open.
“It has been really hard, the heat and humidity. I mean, I have played in the Chennai Open during the heat in years gone by but this heat in New York has been crazy. It is all about managing the body and staying cool. Imagine, if it is hot for me, then how the European and American players are finding it hard to cope with the conditions,” said Bopanna with a chuckle. He is hoping the final will see him rejuvenated and ready for the big fight against Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.
“We got energy from the crowds after the first set and got going,” said Bopanna He has great memories of playing his best tennis in New York over the years. After all, he had reached the final here with Pakistan’s Aisam Qureshi before losing to the Bryan twins Bob and Mike in 2010.
It may seem like the end of the season for most players but Rohan Bopanna has a long way ahead. He will be playing his last Davis Cup tie next week in Lucknow when India hosts Morocco. “I need to make way for the next generation,” says Bopanna.
After that, the Indian doubles king will be part of the Indian tennis squad which will hunt for medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, from September 23. “Definitely, I am excited about the Asian Games as well. I am sure China will put on a great show as hosts,” said Bopanna.
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)