Rohan Bopanna was playing professional tennis in the 20th century. He still is in 2023, having become the oldest individual to make a US Open men’s doubles final in August. But at 43, the end of the journey is in sight, and for that reason, he will cherish the mixed-doubles Asian Games gold that he won in the company of Rutuja Bhosale. Chinese Taipei’s En-shuo Liang and Tsung-hao Huang eased to the first set, but a change of tactics at the start of the second was pivotal to a hugely impressive Indian comeback that saw them win 2-6, 6-3, 10-4.
“It was not easy for us out there,” said Bopanna afterwards. “They were playing really well. They both really hit flat, and they were timing it well. At the end of the first set, I told Rutuja we need to change sides on the returning [of serve]. That’s exactly what we did. We had to make them think and do something differently. It really actually worked. First game, he was serving well, but after that, we made a lot more returns.”
Bopanna had won the men’s doubles gold with Divij Saran in Jakarta in 2018, a year after his only Grand Slam triumph, the mixed doubles at the French Open alongside Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski (2017). He drew on all those experiences as India stormed back in a match that appeared lost. “That’s the years of playing,” said Bopanna. “I’ve done it in the past. We did it last year [Jakarta] in the semis, with Divij Saran at the Asian Games. I’ve done it in the Masters when I was playing with Mahesh [Bhupathi]. I thought it’s the right time to do it, and Rutuja was okay playing on that side.”
There will, however, not be a hat-trick of Asian Games titles. “I can definitely say it’s going to be my last Asian Games,” said Bopanna with a laugh. “There’s no way I’m coming back to Japan, as a player at least. To finish gold and gold in the last two Asian Games is exceptional.”
As much as Bopanna’s experience, what really turned the match around was Rutuja coming into the game after a hesitant start. “For me, to play in front of such a big crowd was the first time, and I clearly had some nerves throughout the match,” she said. “The last point, Rohan said ‘Give me your best serve’, and I took my time. But just to have the Indian flags there and the support, in front of so many Chinese people, it was good to have that. It was amazing what I just experienced.
“To get a medal was the aim, and to get a gold is a dream come true. Doing it with Rohan is just amazing.”
Bopanna, like Leander Paes and Bhupathi before him, has flown the Indian flag with pride for decades, having made his Davis Cup debut back in 2002. Now, with the Asian Games mission accomplished, he planned to turn his attention to other sports. “I’m going to watch the India-Pakistan hockey match,” he said, when asked how he would celebrate the win. “I’ve been waiting to watch a few games, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance. But I can’t get a better moment to go and support India.”
Also Read: Silver sans silver lining