Rohan Bopanna ready for 2021

#RohanBopanna #AustralianOpen #Tennis @kannandelhi

S.Kannan in New Delhi

Tennis doubles ace Rohan Bopanna is ready to start the New Year, once again, in the Bio Bubble. With the season’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, set  to be held in Melbourne from February 8, the tall and strapping Coorgi has resumed training in right earnest.

Speaking to this writer, Bopanna said he was excited about return to competitive tennis in 2021, a year when the world is hoping the postponed Tokyo Olympics will  be held from July 23.

“Having been part of two Grand Slams last year, the US Open and the French Open, both in Bio Bubble, now I know what to expect. The tennis tour will be returning to life soon and I will also be flying out from Dubai in mid-January to Melbourne,” said Bopanna.

Bopanna will be partnering Joaon Sousa in the early part of the season. Sousa is a solid singles player and Bopanna is hoping he can strike a good combination with his new partner.

“The postponement of the Australian Open led to a few changes and I am hoping I can do well with Sousa. This year is going to be exciting for sure and I am sure warm-up tournaments in Melbourne itself at the same venue will be compact,” he said.

In Bengaluru, Bopanna held a camp at his own academy in December where a number of young kids were also there. “I got to hit with the younger players which was good practice. We had a fruitful camp and I feel I am in nice shape now,” added  Bopanna.

All players for the Australian Open will be flying out from Dubai and the mandatory quarantine in Melbourne will allow them five hours daily to train and all other related activity like fitness and rehab. “We are allowed only one partner to travel with us. So you have to chose if you want your physio or coach to be with you,” said Bopanna.

Looking ahead, Bopanna said not defending too many ranking points ahead is a bonus for him. “The tournament schedule has been rejigged and we have to accept it. It would be best to take things as they come and I am confident about my own game. If Divij (Sharan) and I can have a combined ranking of 75 or 80 by the end of the French Open, we should make the main draw of Olympics,” he said.

Does the loss in the mixed doubles bronze-medal playoff with Sania Mirza at the 2016 Rio Olympics rankle him? “Yes it does. It was a hard match for us. My first goal would be to qualify for the Olympics this time. I need to stay healthy and strong. As things stand, the Olympics are on. There is a lot of positive news coming on the vaccine as well at home. We got to stay focussed,” concluded Bopanna.