Mahesh Bhupathi believes that Rohan Bopanna now has the confidence to take on the best. “Bopanna and Aisam Qureshi now believe they can. Having beaten many of the top teams, making the final of a Grand Slam show they have made the transition,” he said, speaking at a Nike nationwide initiative named ‘Bleed Blue’ on Monday.
Bopanna entered the world’s top 20 rankings on the latest ATP Doubles list (September 13, 2010) at number 19. Leander Paes (eighth) and Bhupathi (13th) are other Indians ranked higher in men’s doubles. The Bopanna/Qureshi combination moved to sixth on the ATP Doubles Team rankings for the Sept 13, 2010 week, in the wake of US Open men’s doubles final entry.
Bopanna stands out among Indian competitors on the men’s circuit due to his big serve and power game. “He always had the potential, now he has shown with solid performances. The confidence gained over the past weeks will help in the matches ahead,” said Bhupathi, replying to a query about Bopanna’s value to the Indian team for the forthcoming World Group Davis Cup playoffs against Brazil in Chennai.
Bhupathi is clear about Brazil as the better Davis Cup squad. “We are playing at home, on surface suited to our kind of game. We hope to make the most of home court advantage.” The Commonwealth Games is the next major assignment for the Indian tennis players. “We want to win as many titles as possible and boost India’s medals tally at CWG,” he said.
Replying to pullouts by prominent athletes from the CWG citing different reasons ranging from injuries, infrastructure to security and apprehensions among other foreign participants, the Indian doubles ace was blunt. “Everyone is looking for excuses to pull out. I don’t think it is fair. Bhupathi added: “As professional sportspersons, we have struggled in cities like Uzbekistan. We travel all over and I can assure you we don’t get to brush our teeth with mineral water.”
The Nike Bleed Blue initiative started September 6, 2010 and sheets of fabric will travel to select locations across India for fans to leave his/her hand print in support of the Indian cricket team.
