India’s high doubles participant Rohan Bopanna on Wednesday revealed that he’ll deliver curtains down on his Davis Cup profession when the nation hosts Morocco in September however the Karnataka participant will not be capable of play his farewell match in his house state, as desired by him, since AITA has already awarded the match to Uttar Pradesh.
India are scheduled to play Morocco in a World Group II tie in September.
The 43-year-old Bopanna, who made his Davis Cup debut in 2002 and continues to be enjoying stable tennis on the ATP Tour, has performed 32 ties for India.
“I am planning to play my last Davis Cup match in September,” Bopanna instructed PTI from London.
“I have been in the team since 2002. I want it to be held at home and I spoke to all the boys (Indian players) they are all happy to play in Bengaluru. KSLTA is also happy to have it there. Now it’s up to our federation to see if they want to do it in Bangalore.
“Since I’ve been enjoying for 20 years, I simply have to talk to captain and work out in the event that they wish to do it there. It will probably be good for everybody to return and watch one final time. Playing at 43 is a bonus,” Bopanna, who is only one on the four Indians to have won a Grand Slam title, added.
It is only apt that a player, who has contributed to Indian tennis’ success in the prestigious tournament over the years, gets to play his last match at the venue of his choice.
However, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) confirmed to PTI that it won’t be able to give the tie to Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA).
“To be honest, it could have been good for Rohan to play his final India-match in Bengaluru however we now have already dedicated to UP. The tie will probably be performed in Lucknow, it has already been determined,” AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar said.
Leander Paes has played the most number of ties for India with 58 appearances, followed by Jaideep Mukherjee (43), Ramanathan Krishnan (43), Premjit Lal (41) Anand Amirtraj (39), Mahesh Bhupathi (35), Vijay Amritraj (32).
So, Bopanna will overtake the legendary Vijay Amritraj in terms of number of Davis Cup appearances when he plays against Morocco.
In his 32 ties, Bopanna won 12 singles matches and 10 doubles rubbers.
Asked if he will continue to play on the ATP Tour, Bopanna replied in an affirmative.
“If I do not play on Tour, one other Indian will not get that spot. Like if I do not play Wimbledon it is not like that spot will go to an Indian. But in Davis Cup, my spot will go to an Indian. It’s been so a few years, so there’s a bunch of gamers developing.
“Asked when did he decide to quit Davis Cup, Bopanna said, “I all the time had it in my thoughts that I’ve to cease during time. And since this can be a house tie, I assumed it is a good time to go. For nation additionally it is important.”
Bopanna is 43 but is still pulling off title-winning performances on the Tour. In March he became the oldest player to win a Master Series tournament (ATP1000) at Indian Wells in USA.
Bopanna had broken the record of Canadian Daniel Nestor, who had won the Cincinnati Masters title when he was 42 in 2015.
“It’s been a incredible yr for me, breaking again within the high 10, with the ability to nonetheless signify the nation, enjoying on the largest stage,” Bopanna, ranked 11 on the planet, mentioned.
The Indian Davis Cup staff was relegated to the World Group II for the primary time because the new format was launched in 2019 after shedding the playoff tie 2-3 to Denmark in February this yr.
In the final six ties, India suffered defeats in 4.
The staff received towards lower-ranked Pakistan in Kazakhstan and towards Denmark in New Delhi on grass courts.