Saachi Baat Special
Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji will head to the Paris Olympics with plenty of poise and expectation. To be playing a few events before the Olympics is a big plus, as both have achieved phenomenal results in the ATP Tour. For Bopanna, a Top 10 ranking has been a blessing, courtesy hard work put in.
Having failed to win a medal at the Rio Olympics with Sania Mirza as partner in mixed doubles, Rohan is happy at getting this chance again. “I had not thought after Rio, I would be here, heading to Paris. The proudest moment for me is to play for India again,” said Bopanna, who had won an Asian Games mixed doubles gold in Hangzhou last year.
“We have another shot at this beautiful sport and journey. Now, we are in a good position to give our best shot at the Paris Olympics,” Rohan said. On the preparations ahead, Rohan said he is confident and taking in all inputs from coach M.Balachandran and others in the think-tank. “I am going into Paris with good camaraderie, something similar to London 2012 with Mahesh Bhupathi,” said Bopanna.
His experience with Leander Paes in Rio 2016 was not good, but Rohan has moved on. At 44, to be playing top tennis, and winning a Grand Slam, Bopanna has shown age is just a number. “Fitness is the key and I have worked hard. This is the level I want to be in. It needs hard work and focus,” said Bopanna.
In the last Olympics held in Tokyo, Bopanna had missed out on an entry. But there is no use reflecting on the past. To have chosen Sriram Balaji ahead of Yuki Bhambri was a hard decision. The senior pro justified it as doubles is about balance and how a pair can click. “We have belief,” concluded Bopanna.
Sriram Balaji has a big serve and fast legs, which will help the pair in Paris against top duos.
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