"Wishing you all the best" - IOA Prez PT Usha lends warm wishes to Bopanna-Balaji duo ahead of Paris Olympics 2024
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) confirmed on June 13 that Rohan Bopanna will pair up with Sriram Balaji to represent India in the men's doubles event at the Paris Olympics 2024. The decision was taken in a selection committee meeting, which was chaired by former Davis Cup captain Nandan Bal.
Balachandran Manikkath will assist them as their coach and will be accompanied by physiotherapist Rebecca Van Orshaegen. The AITA said in a press release:
"The All India Tennis Association (AITA) is thrilled to announce that Rohan Bopanna and N. Sriram Balaji have qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 in the tennis doubles event. Their journey to the Olympics marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis."
As per sources inside the ATP, Yuki Bhambri was also among contention to pair up with Bopanna, but considering Balaji's technicality on the court, the latter was ultimately chosen.
Notably, Sriram Balaji is 10 years younger than Rohan Bopanna. A few days back, a similar report was out on social media, where it was learned that 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz will team up with 38-year-old Rafael Nadal for the Summer Games.
Congratulating the Bopanna-Balaji pair, PT Usha offered her wishes:
One of the fans sees this news as a hope for another medal in the Summer Games.
One fan, however, asked why Sumit Nagal was not preferred in place of Balaji.
Former Indian tennis player Nitin Kirtane also took to social media and pointed out how Bopanna's ranking helped India gain a spot in the Summer Games.
"Super news for Indian Tennis fans Rohan Bopanna's ranking helping them make the cut," Kirtane wrote on X.
Another fan specified how Balaji would need to work hard to match up with Bopanna.
"Balaji will have to work really hard in this one month," the post said.
One X user also said how high hopes he has for the duo.
"Big hopes from you in doubles to get an Olympic medal," the user wrote.
Rohan Bopanna to partake in his third Olympics
Rohan Bopanna is perhaps one of the best doubles tennis players in India if not the best. This year, his best achievement was winning the doubles title at the Australian Open with Matthew Ebden. In the process, he went on to become the oldest world no.1 at the age of 43. Currently, Bopanna is ranked no.4 in the world (doubles).
The Paris Olympics 2024 will see 32 teams in the men's doubles events and this will be Bopanna's third appearance at the showpiece event. He first participated in the London Olympics 2012 and paired up with Mahesh Bhupathi but could only reach the second round. In the Rio Olympics 2016, he teamed up with Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles event and narrowly missed out on the bronze medal. However, in the men's doubles, he partnered with Indian tennis legend Leander Paes but the pair couldn't overcome the opening round hurdle.
Bopanna, meanwhile, didn't feature in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. However, with fine form on his back (he reached the semis of the French Open a few days back), Bopanna along with his counterpart Sriram Balaji will aim to bring home a medal for India.