Rohan Bopanna, the veteran Indian tennis player, concluded his 20-year Davis Cup career with a win as India defeated Morocco 4-1 in the World Group 2 tie. Bopanna had played 33 Davis Cup ties and 50 matches during his illustrious career, including matches against strong opponents like Serbia and Brazil. Despite playing his farewell tie in the third tier of the Davis Cup, he expressed pride in representing India at any level of the competition.
On the first day of the tie, India faced a challenging situation after Sasikumar Mukund lost his debut match, resulting in a tied score of 1-1. However, in his final Davis Cup match on Sunday, Bopanna, partnered with Yuki Bhambri, convincingly defeated the Moroccan pair of Elliot Benchetrit and Younes Lalami Laaroussi with a score of 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour. This victory gave India a lead that they maintained throughout the tie, with Sumit Nagal and debutant Digvijay Pratap Singh securing the 4-1 win and taking India back to the World Group 1 playoffs.
Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri displayed their dominance on the court, despite not being entirely in sync. Their superior skills and experience outclassed their lower-ranked opponents. The outcome of the match was secondary, as the focus was on celebrating Bopanna’s remarkable career. Known for his consistency and longevity in the sport, Bopanna has been a vital part of India’s representation in tennis at the highest level.
In a touching and emotional moment, Bopanna, draped in the Indian flag, placed his India jersey in the center of the court to a chorus of applause from the crowd. This gesture marked the end of an era in Indian tennis, and Bopanna expressed both sadness and pride in leaving the Davis Cup team. He mentioned spending time with his family during the two-week break from Davis Cup commitments.
Rohan Bopanna’s career has left an indelible mark on Indian tennis, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered and celebrated by fans and fellow players alike.