How many of us know Anuradha Devi? Just the night before, I was watching her shoot the finals of the ISSF World Cup in Cairo and was left wondering if she could make the Olympics at her age, 33, and go on to make history by winning a medal for India. It isn’t a pipe dream, for she managed to beat the very talented Rhythm Sangwan and almost took down Anna Korakkaki in the 10m pistol final on her way to a precious silver medal. Soon after that final, my thoughts turned to Rohan Bopanna. He was playing the final of the Australian Open some hours later, and I had spoken to him at length earlier in the day.
Having known Bopanna for years, I wanted him to win for more than one reason. I have seen him suffer far too many times and seen him miss out on moments under the sun. I wanted him to do an Anuradha Devi and fulfil his dream. This is more because each time he has encountered a setback, he has taken it in his stride and gone back to the tennis court to try harder. At his age, it is tough. It’s difficult to get going every single day and turn up with the same intensity. And yet, he did. For months and years. Maybe it was God’s wish to reward him, for Bopanna is indeed a true devotee of the sport.
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EXCLUSIVE#RohanBopanna creates History!
Rohan Bopanna at 43 years and 329 days, becomes the oldest man to secure a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Additionally, he has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the oldest player to reach the number one ranking in men’s doubles.… pic.twitter.com/YD0mTYSRAv
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 27, 2024
Soon after he won, my mind went back to Rio 2016. Sania Mirza and Bopanna had just lost a close semi-final to Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram, and failed to make the mixed doubles final. India was up a set and Rohan was serving to make it 3-1. Back-to-back double faults, and all of a sudden, it all went south. The good work of the first set was undone and with Williams raising her game a couple of notches, a golden opportunity was lost. Soon after the match, I remember Sania and Rohan just sitting around without saying a word to each other. None of us could. Their Olympic dream was shattered, and it was a hard night to forget.
For Bopanna, it wasn’t the first time. Having lost to the Bryan brothers in a men’s doubles final earlier in his career, this was perhaps an even bigger heartbreak. ‘He doesn’t win big finals’ was starting to become the narrative. In all honesty, few had given him a chance after Rio. Yes, he was around and still winning the odd tournament or two, but to think he would make it to the No. 1 position and win the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific was beyond imagination.
And yet, it happened. As Rohan Bopanna soon after the win, “Don’t ever give up on life, for you never know what happens when if you stay true and want something real bad.”
He is right. Bopanna dared to dream. Even after that painful night in Rio, he continued dreaming. And during the day, he worked the hardest to make his dream reality. Finally, at 43, he stands fulfilled. World No. 1 and Grand Slam Champion. But then, when you achieve your dreams, you tend to dream further. With the Olympics seven months away, will Bopanna dream again? Now that he knows that they do come true and what he can do at 43, don’t put anything past Bopanna. If he can take his age on and win, the French Open, Wimbledon or Paris 2024 could well be his. That night in Rio will no longer define Bopanna. This one in Melbourne will. With wife and daughter and in-laws all watching, it was his night. The completion of a dream and perhaps the start of another. Who knows, it could well be an even bigger one!
Also Read: Slow-burning Bopanna finally has his moment in the sun