Aging like a fine wine, Rohan Bopanna is all fired up for his last hurrah at the Olympic Games. Not the one who would rail against circumstances or crib about not having the strongest of partners, the veteran Indian tennis player says his comrade N Sriram Balaji has enough firepower and the scratch pairing is potent enough to test the big teams in Paris. Had Bopanna been ranked outside the top-10, India would not have any representation in the men’s doubles event at the Paris Olympics, starting July 26.

The 44-year-old had to make a choice between Balaji and Yuki Bhambri and after consulting his coaches — Scott Davidoff and Balachandran Mannikkath — he eventually settled for the more “athletic and agile” Balaji.

“I really believe that when we go out there, we genuinely have a chance to win every match, whoever we play against. It’s not like we’re just going to be written off, I feel,” Bopanna told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Bopanna has reason to have that confidence in Balaji’s ability to rise to the occasion. He had a chance to test Balaji at the French Open where Bopanna was pushed along with Matthew Ebden by the Tamil Nadu player and his Mexican partner Miguel Reyes-Varela.

Not only this, Balaji had a consistent run on the ATP Tour where he scalped a few big names such as Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek — both top-10 players — at the Houston ATP 250 event on clay.

With his German partner Andre Begemann, Balaji also defeated Austria’s top-50 players Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler.

Balaji also showed that he can quickly adapt to conditions when he was asked to do the singles duty during the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan on grass. The rival was not of the highest quality but Balaji showed that he was willing to come out of his comfort zone if the team demands.

“The idea is to go prepared, at least believe in as a team. That is what we’re trying to do. With Bala, he definitely has the firepower to do well,” Bopanna said.

He also gave his reason for picking Balaji over Bhambri.

“I felt Balaji, depending on the surface we’re playing with, which is the clay, would have been the ideal partner. Currently, even if you look at (Matthew) Ebden, who I’m playing with, he’s somebody who’s more agile, more explosive on that surface.

“And for clay, especially, I need a partner who would suit me better in terms of going by the surface. If it was a hard court or a grass court, maybe Yuki would have been the preferred choice.” Bopanna though admitted that it was not an obvious but a difficult choice since he has not played with either of them on the Tour.

“Balaji can move well on both flanks? I think he is, given on the clay court, he’s definitely more athletic, given the two of us. Between me and Bala, I definitely need a partner who’s more athletic, more agile.

“Bala has similar capabilities as Matthew. Bala would be fast, quick, swift like Ebden. But Ebden comes with a lot of experience and Bala hasn’t played at that level much.” It also means that Bopanna has to be leader of the team all the time. On the Tour he has Ebden to pull the team out of the pit if Bopanna is having an off day. In the past Olympics, he had illustrious teammates like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza.

In Paris, it will Bopanna, who has to do the heavy lifting. But did he have any choice? “There is nobody currently in the country who has played that kind of experience as Matthew Ebden. So, no matter who I played with on the country, it would be the same scenario.” Due to the considerable gap in their rankings in the past, Bopanna could never play with Balaji on the Tour. But they have planned to compete in a couple of ATP events, starting with Hamburg Open, to prepare for the Olympics.

“This is my time at home basically to rest, recover and then come back into the circuit. But I thought it’ll be nice to get to know whoever the partner I’m playing with.Try and work and at least try and prepare better than what we have done before maybe.” As the discussion veered over Balaji’s game and how he compliments him, Bopanna had a good things to say about his partner.

“His serve is definitely a big strength. He’s got a powerful shot there. Which definitely helps in the doubles game. No question on it.” Bopanna also said that they don’t just want to show up and get back. They consider themselves worthy of a medal.

“Every athlete who goes into Olympics wants to win a medal, right? There is 100 percent that belief. Everybody wants to do better than the previous time. There’s no question on it, right? That’s how life is. You want to do better. You want to keep going higher and higher.

“Nobody can tell you what can happen. But the preparation going into the games is what really matters.

“This time I was even listening that they have a fantastic medical team there to help the recovery, help the sports science, which is the first time ever, which is amazing. This is what is the progress already for what athletes can get and really see and make a difference,” he signed off.

Tennis events at Paris Olympics start on July 27. 

File photo of Rohan Bopanna (left) and Matthew Ebden.© AFP

1. You won your maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2017. What is the difference between the Rohan Bopanna then and now?

While I recall winning the French Open mixed doubles title in 2017 alongside Gabriela Dabrowski, it was one of the best matches and definitely a dream come true moment not only me but for all those people who support and encourage me. For me, it was a massive achievement, now when I look back, it would be fair to say that as an athlete and as a person I have grasped new learnings and evolved.

Over the years, I played with such talented athletes, celebrated big wins, and learned from the ones I lost and seasoned as an athlete and as an individual.

I have now, started to enjoy the process and value the dedication it takes to stay at the top of my game – the training, the travel, the constant push to improve. Also, my perspective of looking at things has shifted and made me a much calmer person in life and self-assured athlete. I still aim for the goals and achievements, but with a balanced approach and deeper understanding of the game, ensuring that I enjoy the journey. With the rich experience gained from this game, I have also developed a sense of responsibility to share my knowledge and inspire the next generation of Indian tennis players.

2. I remember seeing a Novak Djokovic interview where he spoke about the mental training he regularly does. We often come across athletes discussing their diet and fitness programs but few talk about the mental side of the game. How do you mentally prepare for big events and matches?

Novak Djokovic is the perfect example to quote for mental training and physical fitness. As fellow athletes, we both understand the importance and correlation of physical and mental well-being to give our best at the court. This is one of the reasons, why I am associated with ASICS, their brand philosophy ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’ strongly resonates with me and sends out a strong message to look after our physical fitness as it’s an important source to boost our mental fitness.

For me, it’s about visualization – picturing myself executing winning shots and staying calm under pressure. Meditation also helps me center myself and focus on the present moment. Ultimately, it’s about building mental resilience so I can bounce back from setbacks and continue pushing forward.

3. You yourself revealed after the Australian Open triumph that the subject of retirement was on your mind. How has that changed since the big win in Melbourne?

It’s true, analysing my performance over a period of time, I did contemplate retirement. However, the Australian Open victory was a turning point. It reignited my passion for the game and instilled a renewed belief in my skills. The win in Melbourne wasn’t just a personal milestone, it showcased the effectiveness of dedication, hardwork and resilience. All the appreciation received from my supporters after this win, motivated me to continue competing at the highest level for as long as my fitness remains on point. At present, I am focused to stay healthy, continuing to upskill my game, and achieving success on the court.

4. You’ve always been an ambitious athlete. You are one of the most decorated tennis players in the country. But, do accomplishments like the Australian Open make it easier for you to set your next target, at this stage of your career or do you now have to push yourself even harder to make history and relive the glorious moments?

The Australian Open victory was a truly defining moment in my career. It’s a testament to perseverance and the belief in myself. While achieving such milestones is incredibly rewarding, it doesn’t necessarily make setting new goals easier. I have an innate passion for competition and a relentless pursuit of improvement.

However, the approach might differ. The Australian Open win has opened doors to exciting new possibilities. Now I am focused to form strategic partnerships, both on and off the court, that will allow me to continue pushing boundaries and contribute to the sport. Ultimately, the pursuit of excellence is a continuous journey. While replicating the Australian Open win might be challenging, there’s immense satisfaction in striving for greatness and inspiring others, regardless of the outcome.

5. Playing in the French Open this year was probably the best way to prepare for the Olympics in Paris since that will be on the clay court too.

The French Open was definitely a valuable lead-up tournament to the Paris Olympics. While competing on clay at Roland Garros allowed me examine and fine-tune my game, I am certain I have enhanced my skillset to play on the same surface, that will be used for the Olympic Games.

6. India, as a country, has witnessed a big sporting push in the last few years. How do you see the new generation of athletes evolving on the tennis court?

India’s surging focus on sports is certainly a positive sign for the future of tennis. The new generation of athletes benefits from improved infrastructure, access to better coaching, and a cultural shift that celebrates and supports aspiring athletes from a young age. This translates to a well-rounded development in their games. Investments in infrastructure and tournaments, coupled with increased exposure to international competition, will further prompt our growth.

We’re seeing young players comfortable at the baseline while also possessing the ability to attack the net. It’s commendable that there’s an emphasis on both physical fitness and mental conditioning, making them even more formidable competitors on the court. I’m excited to see this talented group continue to develop and propel Indian tennis to even greater heights at the world stage.

7. How far are we from finding new Rohan Bopannas, Sania Mirzas, Vijay Amritrajs, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathis, etc?

Witnessing the aspiring new athletes, we see a bright future for Indian tennis. We have talented youngsters emerging, like Sumit Nagal who is also a fellow ASICS athlete delivering some brilliant performances in the last 2 weeks at the Heilbronn Neckarcup 2024 ATP Challenger in Germany. Sumit has achieved a career-best ranking of 71 on the global circuit, he has become the first Indian in five years to appear in the main draw of the men’s singles event at Wimbledon 2024.

Globally, India is seen and acknowledged as a rich talent pool waiting to be tapped into and the journey to enhancing our fortunes in tennis begins with acknowledging the strides we have made and leveraging our strengths. The aspiring new athletes should be provided access to coaching, infrastructure, and a clear path to pro. With continued investment, strong mentorship, and showcasing young players’ success, we can find the next generation of Indian tennis champions.

8. The tour takes you all over the world, with a variety of court surfaces. How do you adjust your game and footwear choices to perform optimally on each one?”

It is true that playing on various surfaces throughout the year demands constant adjustments but that’s the beauty of this game. Here my trusted partner ASICS always supports me, I wear GEL-RESOLUTION 9 on the court, and it helps me deliver my best work whether it’s a hard court, clay court, or any other court. A trusted footwear partner like ASICS, always ensures I have the right gear to adapt my game and perform at my best wherever I compete.

9. Many players peak early and then struggle to maintain their ranking. What advice would you give to young players aspiring to have a long and successful career like yours?

I believe consistency is the key for a long career. My suggestion to the young players would be to focus on building a well-rounded game, not just power-hitting. Along with that, having a strong support system, including a dedicated coach and a reliable gear to ensure creating a strong base is important. When it comes to right gear, ASICS has been providing me with the best-in-class technology footwear that caters to different surfaces and playing styles, allowing me to adapt and minimize injury risks. It’s also important to prioritize recovery, listen to your body, and constantly learn and evolve your game. Moreover, patience, dedication and the right team around you are essential for a long and fulfilling tennis career.

Rapid fire questions:

1) GOAT of men’s tennis – Novak Djokovic

2) Non-Tennis athlete he looks up to – Michael Jordan

3) Favourite city to play in – New York

4) Favourite holiday destination – Thailand/Maldives

5) Winning Olympic gold or all 4 grand slams in a year – Winning an Olympic gold medal

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden in action© AFP

The much-anticipated French Open 2024 tennis tournament gets underway at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France on Monday. The main draw matches at the second grand slam of the year begin on May 26. Sumit Nagal secured his place in the main draw of the men’s singles thanks to his career-high world ranking of 80. He is the first Indian male player to qualify for the French Open main draw since Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019.

The 26-year-old Nagal recently stunned world No. 38 Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo Masters where he became the first Indian tennis player to qualify for the main draw of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in 42 years.

The centre of attention in the men’s singles will be the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal of Spain and Serbia’s world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Nadal had missed the French Open last year for the first time since 2004 due to an abdominal muscle tear.

The Spaniard has won a record 14 French Open titles while his Serbian opponent won his record 24th Grand Slam men’s singles title at the French Open last year to get past Nadal. It was Djokovic’s third title victory at the Roland Garros. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have played many memorable matches at the Roland Garros over the years.

World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is also expected to be a strong contender. He had made it to the semi-final last year before losing to eventual champion Djokovic.

Former US champion Daniil Medvedev and former Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner are also in the mix along with two-time French Open runners-up and world No. 6 Casper Ruud.

In the men’s doubles, veteran Rohan Bopanna, ranked fourth in the world, and his world No. 3 Matthew Ebden of Australia will be among the title favourites. They are the reigning Australian Open champions and are the second-seeded pair behind Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina.

Yuki Bhambri will partner Albano Olivetti of France while Sumit Nagal will also compete in the men’s doubles along with Sebastian Ofner of Austria. Anirudh Chandrasekar-Arjun Kadhe and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli-Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha are the two all-Indian pairs in this category.

Action in the women’s singles is expected to be led by world No. 1 and three-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek of Poland.

Swiatek won the French Open in 2022 and 2023 and is arriving at the Roland Garros after winning the Madrid Open earlier this month. However, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina are all in contention for the top prize.

Indian tennis players at French Open 2024

Men’s singles: Sumit Nagal

Men’s doubles: Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden (AUS), Yuki Bhambri-Albano Olivetti (FRA), Sumit Nagal-Sebastian Ofner (AUT), Sriram Balaji-Miguel Angel Reyes Varela (MEX), Anirudh Chandrasekar-Arjun Kadhe, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli-Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha.