Rohan Bopanna became just the 4th Indian to win a Grand Slam Title whenGabriela Dabrowski and he scripted one of the best comebacks in French Open Mixed Doubles history to clinch the title 12-10 in the decider. For Bopanna the feeling is yet to sink in and he is ecstatic that he could finally win that elusive Grand Slam, a dream that he felt was never going to culminate after that fateful loss at the US Open 7 years ago!
A veteran on the circuit now, Bopanna feels that he has been playing his ‘best tennis’ for the past year and hopes that he can add a few more Grand Slam to his kitty before he hangs up his boots.
“There is a huge difference in what I used to be as a player. I have played close matches over the years. I was not so nervous today as compared to 2010 (US Open final). Over the years it has helped me to adapt (quickly) to surfaces. Last two years I have been enjoying a lot playing on clay,” Bopanna said.
I have started to control the points better. I am playing my best tennis. I have matured over the years. I know how to handle those situations better. I have lost close matches, the Wimbledon semis, played the Masters series consistently. There were no nerves and that was a big difference,” he said.
Bopanna last reached a slam final in Flushing Meadows, when he and Aisam ul Haq Quershi came short against the Bryan Brothers but Bopanna stressed on the fact that he ‘never stopped believing’.
“I never stopped believing. But of course there’s the everyday thing to do, practicing, training. Also, my game on clay has improved in the last two years. Playing with my partner Pablo Cuevas, practicing with him every day has helped me. I’m not serving and volleying as much on clay. I’m serving and staying back, using my forehand as a weapon. It has allowed me to bring something new to my game, given me more options. Also in the past two years I have been enjoying playing on clay.”
Hopefully Bopanna can go on and win and more slams in the future.
