Bopanna to end Davis Cup career in September, wants to play farewell game in Bengaluru

Rohan Bopanna, in March, turned the oldest participant to win a Master Series match (ATP1000) at Indian Wells in USA.
| Photo Credit: AP

India’s high doubles participant Rohan Bopanna on Wednesday revealed that he’ll carry curtains down on his Davis Cup profession when the nation hosts Morocco in September, however the Karnataka participant received’t be capable to play his farewell match in his house state, as desired by him, since AITA has already awarded the match to Uttar Pradesh.

India is scheduled to play Morocco in a World Group II tie in September.

The 43-year-old Bopanna, who made his Davis Cup debut in 2002 and continues to be enjoying on the ATP Tour, has performed 32 ties for India.

“I am planning to play my last Davis Cup match in September,” Bopanna informed PTI from London.

“I have been in the team since 2002. I want it to be held at home and I spoke to all the boys (Indian players) they are all happy to play in Bengaluru. KSLTA is also happy to have it there. Now it’s up to our federation to see if they want to do it in Bangalore.

“Since I have been playing for 20 years, I just have to speak to captain and figure out if they want to do it there. It will be good for everyone to come and watch one last time. Playing at 43 is a bonus,” Bopanna, who is just one on the 4 Indians to have received a Grand Slam title, added.

It is barely apt {that a} participant, who has contributed to Indian tennis’ success within the prestigious match over time, will get to play his final match on the venue of his alternative.

However, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) confirmed to PTI that it received’t be capable to give the tie to Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA).

“To be fair, it would have been good for Rohan to play his last India-match in Bengaluru but we have already committed to UP. The tie will be played in Lucknow, it has already been decided,” AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar stated.

Leander Paes has performed essentially the most variety of ties for India with 58 appearances, adopted by Jaideep Mukherjee (43), Ramanathan Krishnan (43), Premjit Lal (41) Anand Amirtraj (39), Mahesh Bhupathi (35), Vijay Amritraj (32).

Bopanna will overtake the legendary Vijay Amritraj by way of variety of Davis Cup appearances when he performs towards Morocco. In his 32 ties, Bopanna received 12 singles matches and 10 doubles rubbers.

Asked if he’ll proceed to play on the ATP Tour, Bopanna replied in an affirmative. “If I don’t play on Tour, another Indian won’t get that spot. Like if I don’t play Wimbledon it’s not like that spot will go to an Indian. But in Davis Cup, my spot will go to an Indian. It’s been so many years, so there is a bunch of players coming up. “

Asked when did he decide to quit Davis Cup, Bopanna said, “I always had it in my mind that I have to stop at some point of time. And since this is a home tie, I thought it’s a good time to go. For country also it’s significant.”

Bopanna is 43 however continues to be pulling off title-winning performances on the Tour. In March he turned the oldest participant to win a Master Series match (ATP1000) at Indian Wells in USA. He had damaged the document of Canadian Daniel Nestor, who had received the Cincinnati Masters title when he was 42 in 2015.

“It’s been a fantastic year for me, breaking back in the top 10, being able to still represent the country, playing at the biggest stage,” Bopanna, ranked 11 on the planet, stated.

The Indian Davis Cup group was relegated to the World Group II for the primary time for the reason that new format was launched in 2019 after dropping the playoff tie 2-3 to Denmark in February this 12 months.

In the final six ties, India suffered defeats in 4.

The group received towards lower-ranked Pakistan in Kazakhstan and towards Denmark in New Delhi on grass courts.