 "Rohan Bopanna during a Tennis Premier League men's doubles match. Image: TPL")
Rohan Bopanna, who is taking part in the Tennis Premier League for the first time, is impressed with the fast-paced 25-point format. Bopanna, one of the best Indian tennis players and two-time Grand Slam winner, is currently representing the Rajasthan Rangers in the Tennis Premier League Season 6.
He is competing in the mixed doubles and men’s doubles categories.
After three days of tennis action at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai, his team is third on the points table with 154 points and is in contention for a qualification spot for the finals.
“It’s an exciting format and it keeps everybody on their toes since every point is crucial. I am having a lot of fun playing TPL”, he said.
He also shared his thoughts on playing in Mumbai after a long time, revisiting the court that has been ‘very special’ in his career. “2007 was the last time I played in Mumbai, and I love playing here. I’ve made two ATP Finals on that very special court right there,” an elated Bopanna added.
At Rajasthan Rangers, Bopanna is reunited with his former doubles partner, Leander Paes, who is a mentor for the side. When asked about having the opportunity of working with Paes again, Bopanna said, “He’s been my teammate for such a long period of time. It has been 30 years of playing this sport, I’ve gained a lot of experience, and he brings extra experience. So, it’s really a fun team to be with.”
There is a pool of talented young players playing in the Tennis Premier League this season, and the two-time Grand Slam champion is delighted to see them on the big stage. 21-year-old Karan Singh of Hyderabad Strikers has caught Bopanna’s eye.
“I’ve been watching Karan, and I think he’s a great talent. We need a lot of encouragement not only from private sponsors but also from the federation to support a talent like that. It’s nice to see youngsters come out and play on the big stage.”
Reflecting on the journey of the league through the last five seasons and how it has grown in stature even further in its sixth season, Bopanna mentioned, “It is growing every year, and I think that’s the beauty of a league like TPL. Kunal Thakkur and Mrunal Jain have done a fantastic job in reaching out to all the players. They get to compete against each other and have fun at the same time in a team competition. It’s beautiful.”