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A Look at Rohan Bopanna's Qualification for Paris Olympics 2024

Indian tennis fans have much to commemorate as Rohan Bopanna establishes his place in the men’s doubles event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This will be Bopanna's third aspect at the Olympic Games, a notable achievement for the 44-year-old tennis star. Joining him will be N Sriram Balaji, who will be making his Olympic debut. The duo is set to showcase India, bringing a mix of expertise and fresh talent to the esteemed event.

A Look at Rohan Bopanna's Qualification for Paris Olympics 2024
Rohan Bopanna (Credits - BBC)

The announcement was made by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Thursday, confirming Bopanna and Balaji as India's delegates in the men's doubles category. Alongside the players, Balachandran Manikkath will serve as the team coach, while Rebecca Van Orshaegen will accompany them as the physiotherapist, assuring the athletes are in peak condition for the competition.

The men’s doubles event at the Paris Olympics will feature 32 teams. To qualify, the top 10 players in the doubles rankings were the first to guarantee quotas for their countries, provided they had a partner ranked inside the top 300 in the doubles rankings by the end of the qualification window. Rohan Bopanna, presently ranked World No. 4 in doubles, comfortably solidified his position, highlighting his persistent performance over the past year.

Bopanna had various potential partners from India to choose from for the Paris 2024 Games. He eventually decided on world No. 67 Sriram Balaji. This decision is seen as strategic, combining Bopanna's vast Olympic expertise with Balaji's passion and determination, making them a formidable team.

Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji Set to Represent India at Paris Olympics 2024

A Look at Rohan Bopanna's Qualification for Paris Olympics 2024
Rohan Bopanna (Credits - Olympics.com)

Reflecting on Bopanna’s distinguished career, his journey through the Olympics has been filled with ups and downs. Bopanna made his Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games, partnering with Mahesh Bhupathi in the men’s doubles. The pair moved forward to the second round but were unable to progress further. Four years later, at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Bopanna teamed up with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles. The duo came heartbreakingly close to winning a medal, narrowly missing out in the bronze medal match. In the men’s doubles at Rio, Bopanna partnered with Leander Paes, India's only Olympic medallist in tennis, but the pair was terminated in the opening round. Regrettably, Bopanna did not compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making his qualification for Paris 2024 all the more substantial.

This year has been specifically successful for Bopanna. He entered 2024 with a bang, winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title along with his Australian partner Matthew Ebden. This win marked a substantial milestone in his career, reasserting his status as one of the top doubles players in the world. Further representing his excellent form, Bopanna reached the semi-finals of the French Open, demonstrating his readiness to take on the challenges of the Olympic stage once again.

The road to the Olympics is never a cakewalk, and Bopanna’s journey is an evidence to his dedication and resilience. His partnership with Sriram Balaji brings a new dynamic to the team, mixing Bopanna's vast experience with Balaji's fresh viewpoint. As they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the duo will certainly be working hard to perfect their game and formulate for their matches.

For Indian tennis enthusiasts, the possibility of seeing Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji compete in Paris is enthralling. Their involvement not only adds to the rich history of Indian tennis at the Olympics but also inspires the upcoming generation of athletes. As the countdown to Paris 2024 begins, all eyes will be on Bopanna and Balaji, hoping they can bring home a memorable Olympic medal for India.

Cover Credits - Olympics.com

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