Rohan Bopanna will pair with Sania Mirza at the Australian Open 2023
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Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna
At 42, Rohan Bopanna is full of energy and ready to go boom in the 2023 tennis season. Competing at the Tata Maharashtra Open in Pune, he says, is special. In a freewheeling interview with FIRST SPORTZ on Tuesday, the tall and gangling doubles specialist spoke of how the fire is still there in his belly. “It’s nice to be competing at home. There is just on big ATP event we have, and I think I must play in it as it helps me and also those watching,” said Bopanna.
Having been a journeyman on the tennis caravan for over 25 years, Bopanna feels there is enough motivation left for him to compete. When he broke onto the domestic stage over 25 years ago, he had a sonic boom in his serve. He played top-class singles as well in the past, won India many Davis Cup rubbers, and then slowly slipped in as a doubles expert.
“I think age is just a number and I am ready for the full season ahead. After this week in Pune, I fly in to Adelaide, for the second tournament. I will be teaming up with Matthew Ebden for the entire season, in the hope we can do well, “ said Bopanna. For the record, Ebden had a great run in 2022, where he won the doubles title at The Championships in Wimbledon with Max Purcell as partner.
“It would not have been right to ask Ebden to fly in from Australia for just one week in India, so I will be joining him next week in Adelaide. We will carry forward from there,” said the Indian, excited about one more full season ahead. The big news, Bopanna will be teaming up with Sania Mirza in mixed doubles at the Australian Open. “Sania and I were supposed to play at the US Open as well in New York last September, but she got injured. Here is hoping we can again get going,” said Bopanna, who has served Indian tennis with dedication and sincerity.
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He has played top-class doubles and mixed doubles at the Tour level with different partners, including Indian legend Mahesh Bhupathi. However, his lone Grand Slam title came at the French Open in 2017, where Rohan Bopanna partnered Gabriela Dabrowski. This apart, Bopanna also was a finalist at the Australian Open with Timea Babos in 2018, but lost the final.
He and Sania Mirza have shared great chemistry on the court. “I think it is still important Sania and I can set an example for Indian players. We have great potential in India in doubles and I am now starting a mentoring program. The Top 200 doubles players in India will be part of a program launched by the Pune Metropolitan District Tennis Association and I will guide the players. The objective of the program is to provide a support system to doubles players with travelling coaches and physios,” said Bopanna.
As one who played in the 2016 Rio Olympics with Sania Mira and lost the bronze medal play-off match to Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecka, it was a painful result. Both the Indians were in tears after that match as a medal seemed on the horizon. That both Bopanna and Sania continue to push on, at 42 and 36 is a big tribute to their lasting skills.
“I will continue to play as long as I have the drive. I am excited about the mixed doubles with Sania and also the Davis Cup after the Australian Open as well,” added Bopanna. Over six years ago, the tall Coorgi set up the RBTA — Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bengaluru. Now, he has started a beginner’s program as well in Coimbatore. “I have to give something back to Indian tennis, even if it is doubles. My contribution will continue in right earnest,” said the 1.93-meter tall doubles ace.
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)