London Olympics selection controversy is a thing of past at least for Rohan Bopanna as the doubles ace is keen to wear the India cap again and represent the nation in the Davis Cup.
Bopanna and his then partner Mahesh Bhupathi were banned by All India Tennis Association (AITA) for not abiding by the selection decision for the Olympics although the court had stayed that decision later on.
India are set to take on South Korea in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie in February, next year.
“What has been done in the past, it’s over and let us just look at the future and keep moving ahead. I mean tomorrow if I am called to represent India for the Davis Cup which I have always have said yes to, I will go ahead and represent India at the Davis Cup,” Bopanna said in an interview.
“There are a lot of things as a sportsperson you look back and could have taken some positives out of that. There are a lot of things which could have been better not said or done. It’s past. That’s been done and dusted.
“That’s over now and as a professional I believe we have all moved on from it. Now it’s time to concentrate on the future events with a new partner. 2012 is behind me,” said the 32-year-old Bangalorean.
Bopanna, who parted ways with his long-term mentor and doubles partner Bhupathi after the season-ending ATP Tour Finals last month, said that he will definitely “miss” him.
“He is the best doubles player out there in the world. No doubt, I have learnt a lot from him in my career not only as a partner but he also helped me, guided me right from the Challengers, Tour levels and Grand Slams. No doubt, he will be missed.” Bopanna said.
“We had decided in the beginning of this year that we will be playing for a year since it’s been an Olympic year and at the US Open itself we decided that since I have few more years to go I need a partner who I can build a relationship with, try and get a solid partnership going. That’s the reason why we decided to change partners and see how it goes,” said Bopanna.
Bopanna, along with Bhupathi, had compiled an impressive 34-22 match record and 2-3 in finals, and in the past also teamed up with players like Pakistan’s Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and American Eric Butorac.
Bopanna has decided to pair up with the US-based Rajeev Ram at the upcoming Chennai Open and for the 2013 season.
Asked about whom did he find as his best partner, Bopanna said, “My best results came with Aisam, reaching the finals of a Grand slam. This year with Mahesh also, we had a great end to the season winning the Paris Masters. I had a great success with them. Looking forward to take few positives from both the partnerships.”
Talking about Rajeev as his new partner on the ATP circuit, Bopanna said they have the potential to be one of the top doubles teams in the world.
“100 per cent. We both have big styles of game and definitely we both have what it takes to be top eight doubles team in the world,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to the new season. Rajeev and I have known each other for few years now. 2008 we played together at the Australian Open and reached the third round.
“He is technically a serve and volley player and his experience will definitely help in the doubles. He is a big guy, actually one inch taller than me also. His is a big big game. So, we both will complement each other playing together,” he added.
