Rohan Bopanna eyes no.1 ranking

Rohan Bopanna (L)

India’s tennis star Rohan Bopanna is on a high after being ranked third in doubles ranking. He states that his hunger for success has only increased and now eyes the number one ranking and a Grand Slam win.

Bopanna in last two years has emerged as a force to reckon with in the doubles arena. Out of his eight titles, six have come in the last three years.

Last season was extraordinary when he won two titles with countryman Mahesh Bhupathi.

Bopanna, in an interview to PTI, said: “Discipline has been a key factor to my success. I have always made sure that I put my game ahead of anything else, sometimes even before friends and family. The journey has definitely not been easy but all the sacrifice has paid off very well in terms of my performance on-court. When you get better at your sport, the sacrifices you’ve made in that part don’t really count.”

Bopanna, nicknamed ‘Bofors’ for his powerful serve, is now only behind the mighty American twins Mike and Bob Bryan.

He said: “The number one spot is of priority for me. Though there is no catching up to the Bryan Brothers this year, I am working hard to ensure that I reach the number one spot soon.

That ranking is important to me and to get our country up there will certainly be a dream come true.”

His immediate goal is to win a Grand Slam. He came very close to winning one in the 2010 US Open but ended runners-up with Qureshi to Bryan brothers.

“Right now I have my eyes set on a Grand Slam win. Having reached so far, I want to go all the way and win a Grand Slam for the country,” he said.