Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna has retired.
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After leaving the Paris Olympics early, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna declared his retirement. After falling to Gael Monfils and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, two French players, in the first round of the doubles on Sunday, July 28, the 44-year-old tumbled out. The match ended with Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji losing 5-7, 2-6, after one hour and sixteen minutes.
Bopanna’s retirement also eliminated any possibility of his competing in the Asian Games in Japan. He finished fourth in the mixed doubles competition at Rio in 2016 and was denied a medal alongside Sania Mirza. He had the opportunity to atone in 2024, but their French rival did not give them much leeway.
Bopanna reflected on his 22-year-old Indian debut and expressed thanks for the opportunity to wear the national uniform.
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“This will undoubtedly be remembered as my final performance for the nation. As reported by PTI, Bopanna stated, “I completely understand where I am and I am just going to be enjoying the tennis circuit as long as that goes.”
“For where I am, this is already a huge boost. I had no idea that I would be representing India for twenty years. I started representing India in 2002 and am still able to do so 22 years later. That’s something I’m really proud of,” Bopanna said.
One of the most accomplished tennis players India has ever produced is Bopanna. He and Gabriela Dabrowski won the mixed doubles French Open championship back in 2017.
In the past, he won the men’s doubles championship at the Australian Open with Matthew Ebden, making him the oldest World No. 1 and the oldest Grand Slam winner. In April, he was also awarded the Padma Shri.
