BENGALURU: Despite being on the ATP tour for 14 years, Rohan Bopanna had failed to fulfill his dream — a Grand Slam title. That changed on Thursday as he finally won a Major after clinching the French Open mixed doubles title, partnering Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski.
Before this success, Bopanna had come closest to achieving his dream before narrowly missing out in the US Open men’s doubles final in 2010. Bopanna and Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi had lost to the famed Bryan brothers then. “As an athlete, you always dream of reaching the highest level. I came close in 2010 but missed out. But I felt I had to step up and set my goal to win a Grand Slam. I was more determined this time and I’m happy that I could win that,” Bopanna said.
After a dull 2016, where he failed to win a title, the 37-year-old started 2017 on a high with Chennai Open title and then went on to win the Monte Carlo Masters with Uruguayan partner Pablo Cuevas. Bopanna believes he is playing his best tennis at the moment.
“As a player, I have matured more this year. I’ve won titles with three different partners (Cuevas, Gabriela and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan) this year and I have adapted to their styles and their strengths to play better and win. This year has been really special,” he noted. Bopanna said failure in the Majors kept him pushing for success.
“Lack of success in Grand Slams helped me to push harder. My coaches have helped me a great deal too and I never felt demotivated. I will continue to work hard for Queen’s Club Championship, which I am playing with Ivan Dodig and then at the Wimbledon, which I’ll play with Cuevas again,” Bopanna signed off.
krishnendu@newindianexpress.com