India’s hopes of doing well in tennis in Paris Olympics suffered a tragic fate. After Sumit Nagal’s dimissal, Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji too were ousted from the first round of men’s doubles in France. Though the entire country had pinned all their hopes on Bopanna, the result however isn’t unexpected. In fact, Bopanna’s poor form in 2024 was a major concern for the veteran leading up to the Paris Olympics.
Of course no one has forgotten Bopanna becoming the World number 1 and that also by being the oldest ever. But while it is a major high for the star, the rest of the year has been sub optimal. And on the very first round of the men’s doubles in Paris Olympics, Bopanna-Sriram duo suffered straight sets loss 7-5, 6-2 to France’s Gael Monfils and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
2024 – A year in Flashback for Rohan Bopanna
The 2024 started with Rohan Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden reaching the finals of the Adelaide International. Despite a grueling battle, Bopanna and Co were defeated. But in January, Bopanna won the doubles title in the coveted Australian Open. They defeated Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in straight sets as the Indian veteran marked his maiden major doubles title.
During the Australian open, Bopanna had reached World Rank 2 in doubles category. The duo decided not to take part in Rotterdam and Qatar Open. However, they achieved a historic World Number 1 position after winning their opening game in Dubai Tennis Championships. However, the rank 1 was lost when Bopanna lost in the 2024 Indian Wells Open clash.
They went on to win the Miami Open next. And with their win in the semis of Miami, they yet again regained their World number 1 rank. With these highs, Bopanna was unable to continue his fine form. In fact in the next three opens the duo went on to lose in the Monte-Carlos Masters, Madrid Open and then in the Italian Open.
While the highs were high, the lows were equally low with quite a few first round exits. This showcases that in reality Rohan Bopanna had a rather sub par 2024 season. And especially heading into the Olympics on the back of 3 Open losses, the early exit in France was not a major surprise.
