Rohan Bopanna reflects on his long and proud Davis Cup journey

Bopanna, who defeated Morocco 4-1 in the World Group II match, revealed conflicted feelings as he waved the Davis Cup farewell. He acknowledged a sense of pride in his extended and committed career representing the country at the event, even as he felt a touch of melancholy at departing the famous tournament.

The 43-year-old is content that he will now have more family time, but he also insisted that his career is not over after losing the Davis Cup.

“Sad to be leaving the Davis Cup, but also simultaneously proud to have played for such a long time. I thank the entire nation for the support and all the teammates, the captain I have played under. It’s been a great journey, a great learning experience,” Bopanna said at the post-match press conference.

“Couple of days at home and I will be right back on the road. Tennis is a very busy schedule, coming from New York and then back to China so it’s a lot of travel. I am going on a high. With a week of practice before we go to Hangzhou (for the Asian Games),” he said.

Sunday’s doubles match between Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri and Elliot Benchetrit and Younes Lalami Laaroussi was played at the Vijayant Khand Mini Stadium in Gomti Nagar.

Strong forehands from Bopanna were unanswered by the opposing camp. Speaking about the tie, he said: “It was extremely important for us to go to World Group I play-offs where India should be and work our way upwards.”

India’s non-playing captain Rohit Rajpal, who is also Executive Committee Member of the Indian Olympic Association, said Bopanna will be missed. “For any captain, when you have a player like Rohan Bopanna, a towering figure, there’s always a fight about who wants to play with him. All of them want to play doubles with him.

“The whole team is under the shock of his decision not wanting to continue. But certainly, he’s passed on great knowledge to Yuki (Bhambri) and Ram (Ramanathan Ramkumar). We will continue to take his guidance and benefit from it,” he said.

Rajpal believed that while Indian doubles players have always created a history, the singles should take center stage.

“We are a tough team and we put a lot of heart into the Davis Cup. When we are playing, we are a tough team to beat. At the same time, if we must beat top teams then we certainly need to have very good singles performances from our players, because there are four points for singles. We need to develop more depth in terms of our singles in the team,” the captain opined.

Bopanna asserts that the squad has some talented players who can carry it ahead from this point, and he will always be available to assist them.

India will now compete in the World Group I play-off after defeating Morocco.

-IANS