Rohan Bopanna retires from Indian tennis: Paris 2024 'last event' for my country

Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from Indian tennis after making an early exit from the Paris Olympics 2024. The 44-year-old crashed out of the doubles after losing to the French pair of Gael Monfils and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the opening round on Sunday, July 28. After an hour and 16 minutes, the duo of Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji lost the match 5-7, 2-6.

By retiring, Bopanna also ruled out any chance of him taking part in the Asian Games in Japan. Back in 2016 in Rio, he missed out on winning a medal in mixed doubles with Sania Mirza after finishing fourth. In 2024, he had the chance of making amends, but their French opponent did not allow them much breathing space.

Bopanna went down the memory lane to his debut for India at the age of 22 and also expressed gratitude for being able to don the national



colours.

"This will definitely go down as my last event for the country. I totally understand where I am and now, I am just going to be enjoying the tennis circuit as long as that goes," Bopanna said, as quoted by PTI

"This is already a big bonus for where I am. I never even thought that I'll be representing India for two decades. Right from 2002, making my debut and 22 years later still getting to represent India. I'm extremely proud of that,” Bopanna added.

Bopanna is amongst the most decorated tennis players India have ever had. Back in 2017, he won the French Open mixed doubles title with Gabriela Dabrowski.

Earlier this, he became the oldest World No.1 and also became the oldest Grand Slam champion after winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title with Matthew Ebden. He also won the Padma Shri back in April.