Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from representing the national team following a first-round exit in the men’s doubles event at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday.
“This will definitely go down as my last event for the country,” said Bopanna, currently ranked world No. 4, after his men’s doubles match with N Sriram Balaji. Despite stepping back from national duties, the 44-year-old plans to continue competing on the ATP circuit.
“I understand where I am in my career now, and I plan to enjoy the tennis circuit for as long as possible,” Bopanna added.
Before the Paris Olympics, Bopanna’s last appearance for India was at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, where he won gold in mixed doubles with Rutuja Bhosale. His distinguished 21-year Davis Cup career also concluded earlier in September with a 4-1 victory over Morocco.
Reflecting on his career, Bopanna noted, “It’s a big bonus to have represented India for two decades. From my debut in 2002 to still representing the country 22 years later, I’m extremely proud.”
Bopanna made his Olympic debut at London 2012, teaming with Mahesh Bhupathi to reach the second round in men’s doubles. At Rio 2016, he and Sania Mirza narrowly missed a medal in mixed doubles, and his men’s doubles pairing with Leander Paes, India’s sole Olympic tennis medallist, was eliminated in the first round. Bopanna did not compete at Tokyo 2020.
Earlier in 2024, at the age of 43 years and nine months, Bopanna became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era with his Australian Open victory alongside Matthew Ebden. This was his second Grand Slam title; his first was in the mixed doubles at the French Open in 2017. Bopanna and Ebden also reached the semi-finals at the French Open last month.
