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Paris 2024 will feature three Indians competing in tennis for the first time since Leander Paes’ bronze medal triumph at Atlanta 1996. Three-time Olympian and former World No. 1 doubles player Rohan Bopanna, and his partner in men’s doubles Sriram Balaji spoke exclusively with JioCinema in Paris,about their hopes of bringing home a tennis doubles medal and possibly competing against the Spanish duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Is this a dream come true and the greatest moment of your professional life?
Balaji: Definitely, it’s more than a dream come true for me. Thanks to everyone and Rohan for bringing me here.
The Olympic dream has been a difficult story over the years for you. Just to be here in Paris and have the chance to contend for a medal, was it something you even thought was possible a few months ago?
Bopanna: Yes. I knew I was going to remain in Top-10, especially after winning the Australian Open 2024. I knew that with a Top-10 ranking, we were going to have a team here in Paris 2024. I’ve been looking forward to this, I don’t think anything gets bigger or better than being at the Mecca of an event like this and representing the country at such a prestigious event. We have a great team, we’ve been working very hard in the last few days, and it’s beautiful to be back in Paris.
Clay courts are a challenge on their own, what is it like playing on this surface?
Balaji: Clay has got its pros and cons. I’ve been playing on clay for more than a decade, ever since I moved to Germany. So, I’ve been adapting to play on clay. Right now, with our doubles team style, I feel we both serve big and if we can make a lot of returns and put pressure, it’s going to be good for us.
One combination everyone talking about is Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal playing together. They don’t play a lot of doubles. Would you as a professional tennis player like to be a part of that matchup?
Balaji: I would like to face them but not in the early stages of the tournament. I’d like to get a couple of matches in and then play against them.
Can India expect a medal from tennis at Paris 2024?
Balaji: We hope so. We’re going to give our best and try for a medal.
Bopanna: I think we’re making sure we’re going out there fully ready. I don’t think we’re here to just represent but we will put our best foot forward and give it a real shot.
