At the age of 43, Rohan Bopanna is playing tennis like Spiderman. He covers the court like a teenager, executes shots which are next to impossible. He is the only Indian at Wimbledon this year. RevSportz caught up with Bopanna who spoke on various things, including his vision to make India a better tennis country.
Abhijit: I like to call you Spiderman because in the last few years, you have been incredible on all sorts of courts and pulling off some incredible shots. How are you playing like this at 43?
Bopanna: I think this is the first time someone has mentioned this, after I spent over 20 years in the circuit. This is something new. But I am just enjoying competing at the highest level, playing the big events like Wimbledon, which I missed last year. I’m really happy to be back again. This year, I have a good partner in Matthew Ebden (Australia). We started off a little slowly in January. But after that, we have picked up steam and have been enjoying playing together. I’m really happy to be back amongst the top teams.
(Bopanna became the oldest to win an ATP Masters 1000 title. He won the doubles title at Indian Wells Masters 2023 with Ebden.)
Abhijit: Tell us about your partnership with Ebden
Bopanna: It’s been fantastic. Sometimes you need the right chemistry to do well in a partnership. The last few years, I was playing with some singles and doubles guys. I did not have a fixed partner. In fact, after a long time I am having a fixed partner. I think that helps. During practice, we can work on things and constantly improve.
With coach Scott David with me for so many years and now working as a team really helps. Last year, unfortunately, I didn’t have a physio travelling with me. This time I have a physio from Belgium, her name is Rebecca. She’s been travelling with me for the past five months and that has also made a difference. That’s because I’m focusing a lot on recovery and making sure that I’m fit for the matches. All these small factors and investing in yourself is the key. The biggest factor over the past few years has been my mental strength and that is what has kept me going for this long. I’m happy that I have been able to adapt, change and add new things to my game.
Abhijit: Playing on grass is tricky. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. How do you prepare for it?
Bopanna: It’s a little challenging if you’re not used to playing on grass. Thankfully for me, I’ve played a lot of Davis Cup matches. Back in India we used to play on grass courts. And I love playing on them, which is tougher. Now at the age of 43, it’s tough on the body. After practice, you need an ice bath, a massage and proper recovery. These are small things which make a big difference. But I love playing at Wimbledon on the greatest of grass courts in the world.
Indian Tennis legend @rohanbopanna is excited to be back in #wimbledon2023 after missing out on the previous edition.
Opens up on his form & fitness; partnership with #MatthewEbden & how he is looking forward to the @19thAGofficial & the @Olympics.@ThumsUpOfficial @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/hpGDLK7rYI
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) July 4, 2023
Abhijit: In 2023, you reached the final at Australian Open in mixed doubles and won the ATP 1000 event. What are looking forward to in the remainder of the year?
Bopanna: I feel excellent. Being able to compete in all top tournaments is great, something I’ve been doing for a long time. Sania (Mirza) and I had a fantastic run at the Australian Open. Unfortunately she had to retire. I definitely miss her on the Tour. Sometimes, it’s a lonely Tour. It’s nice to have a friend around, travelling. But she’s here this year at Wimbledon (not as a player). So it’ll be good to see her. Having said that, I’m happy with the season, the last six months. The last Masters I won was back in 2017. I’m happy that I’m still able to compete at this level.
Abhijit: You are the only Indian at Wimbledon this year? Do you think something has to change for this situation to get better?
Bopanna: Yes, I am the only Indian here this year. But the way I look at it is, we still have one person representing India. And that is important. I mean, who knows? Maybe somebody is watching or somebody is reading or somebody is listening to us. Kids get inspired by that. Talking about change, most of it has to be structural. We need lots and lots of tournaments. I’m not talking about ATP Tour events or Masters Series. We should start with the Futures and Challengers which must be held consistently. We need about 25-30 tournaments a year. That has never been the case since I have been around. This has to change immediately. I’m hoping, somewhere, there’s someone listening to us.
Abhijit: You have always been there for the country. Be it the Olympics, Asian Games or Davis Cup. You won Asian Games gold medal with Divij Sharan. This year there is Asian Games and next year, we have the Paris Olympics. How are you looking forward to those?
Bopanna: Anytime we get an opportunity to qualify for the Olympics it is fantastic. But there is a year to go for the Olympics and a lot can happen. I have started the ‘Doubles Dream of India Program’ through which we are supporting a lot of doubles players with the support of the KPIT Company. We’re looking forward to helping the guys who have already made a breakthrough in doubles. We want to help them with travelling coaches and physios. Of these guys, Yuki Bhambri has just won his first ATP title, which is fantastic. For guys with rankings between 200 and 300, we want to get them government, federation and corporate support. That is going to make the change. You never know, before Paris we might have more in the race to qualify.
Abhijit: Your thoughts on mixed doubles
Bopanna: I’m going to play with my former partner Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada. I had won the French Open (2017) with her. I’m looking forward to pairing up with her again.
Abhijit: To whoever is willing to pick up the racquet and wants to play for the country or as a professional, what will be your advice?
Bopanna: The biggest thing is self belief. Then, I always tell the parents when they enrol their kids into academies, to trust the coaches. That’s the most important part. And, if there is any kid out there, please watch tennis, watch your idols and then when you go out to the court, give it 100%. And keep believing in yourselves.