A look at Rohan Bopanna’s qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics

Indian tennis fans have much to celebrate as Rohan Bopanna cements his place in the men’s doubles tournament at the Paris Olympics in 2024. This will be Bopanna’s third appearance at the Olympics, a remarkable feat for the 44-year-old tennis star. He will be joined by N Sriram Balaji, who will be making his Olympic debut. The duo are set to showcase India and bring a mix of expertise and fresh talent to the esteemed event.

The announcement was made by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Thursday, confirming Bopanna and Balaji as India’s representatives in the men’s doubles category. Apart from the players, Balachandran Manikkath will act as team coach, while Rebecca Van Orshaegen will accompany them as physiotherapist, to ensure that the athletes are in top condition for the competition.

The men’s doubles tournament at the Paris Olympics will feature 32 teams. To qualify, the top 10 players in the doubles rankings were the first to be guaranteed quotas for their countries, provided they had a partner who was in the top 300 of the doubles rankings at the end of the qualifying period. Rohan Bopanna, currently ranked No. 4 in the world in doubles, comfortably consolidated his position and underlined his consistent performance over the past year.

Bopanna had several potential partners from India to choose from for the Paris 2024 Games. He eventually chose world number 67 Sriram Balaji. The decision is seen as strategic, as Bopanna’s extensive Olympic expertise is combined with Balaji’s passion and determination, making them a formidable team.

Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji to represent India at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Looking back at Bopanna’s distinguished career, his journey through the Olympics was full of ups and downs. Bopanna made his Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games where he partnered Mahesh Bhupathi in the men’s doubles. The pair advanced to the second round but could not make it further. Four years later, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bopanna teamed up with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles. The duo came agonizingly close to winning a medal but narrowly missed out on the bronze medal match. In the men’s doubles at Rio, Bopanna teamed up with Leander Paes, India’s only Olympic medallist in tennis, but the pair were dismissed in the opening round. Unfortunately, Bopanna did not play in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which makes his qualification for Paris 2024 all the more important.

This year has been particularly successful for Bopanna. He started 2024 with a bang, winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title with Australian partner Matthew Ebden. This victory marked a major milestone in his career, confirming his status as one of the best doubles players in the world. Bopanna reached the semi-finals of the French Open, further underlining his excellent form, and showing that he is ready to take on the challenges of the Olympic stage once again.

The road to the Olympics is never a walk in the park, and Bopanna’s journey is a testament to his dedication and resilience. His partnership with Sriram Balaji brings a new dynamic to the team, combining Bopanna’s vast experience with Balaji’s fresh perspective. As they gear up for the Paris Olympics in 2024, the duo will surely be working hard to perfect their game and formulate for their matches.

For Indian tennis lovers, the opportunity to watch Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji compete in Paris is a mesmerizing one. Their involvement not only adds to the rich history of Indian tennis at the Olympics but also inspires the upcoming generation of athletes. As the countdown to Paris 2024 begins, all eyes will be on Bopanna and Balaji, hoping that they can bring home a memorable Olympic medal for India.

Cover Credits – Olympics.com