The upcoming Paris Olympics will see a unique pairing in the men’s doubles tennis competition: Rohan Bopanna, a seasoned veteran, and Sriram Balaji, a player who only recently broke into the top 100 rankings. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, both players share a burning passion – representing India on the biggest sporting stage.
Dream Realised for Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji
For Bopanna, a 44-year-old who has already competed in two Olympic Games, Paris 2024 holds a special significance. “The Olympics is more than a competition,” he was quoted as saying by TOI, his voice brimming with emotion.
He’ll be the oldest male tennis player at the Games since tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988.
Sriram Balaji, on the other hand, is a newcomer to the Olympic scene. At 34, he never dared to dream of participating in the Games until his recent rise in the rankings. “The Olympics wasn’t even on my list,” he confesses. Being chosen to partner with Bopanna, a top-ranked player, came as a pleasant surprise. “He believes my game will suit him better,” Balaji beams.
Teamwork makes Dream Work
While their individual rankings might seem like a mismatch, both players are confident in their abilities as a team. “Singles and doubles are completely different,” Balaji explains. “Doubles require a team mentality and quicker reflexes.” He believes their focus on net play will give them an edge over some teams consisting of top-ranked singles players who might struggle with the transition.
Bopanna, the more experienced player, acknowledges the challenge. “We haven’t played together much,” he admits. Their focus in the coming weeks will be on building camaraderie and perfecting their on-court communication. Two upcoming tournaments – Hamburg and Umag – will serve as crucial preparation for the Olympics.
Age is just Number: Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji
Despite the age gap, both Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji are determined to put on a strong showing in Paris. Bopanna emphasizes the importance of taking things one step at a time, focusing on practice and building a strong team dynamic. Balaji echoes this sentiment, choosing to view the Olympics as “another tournament, but with a very good partner.”
This unlikely duo – a seasoned veteran and a rising star – is ready to prove that age is just a number on the court. With their combined talent and unwavering team spirit, they aim to challenge for a medal and etch their names in Indian Olympic history.
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