The world No. 7 men's doubles tennis player, Rohan Bopanna, shared with Brut that he always played with the hope of inspiring young kids in India to take up the sport and represent their country.
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00:00There's hardly any tennis players coming out of the country.
00:30I think there is no other bigger feeling than, you know, having a jersey where your
00:51country is, you know, written at the back of your shirt and I think every athlete wants
00:57to represent their country and in my case, representing India for 21 years in the Davis
01:03Cup.
01:04Though, you know, when we're playing on the ATP circuit, the jerseys doesn't say India
01:10but I'm still very much representing the country and that I think is the biggest motivation
01:15and every single opportunity I've got, whether it is Davis Cup, Asian Games, Olympics, Commonwealth
01:22Games, I think there was a, whenever the team competition was there, I really enjoyed it
01:26and I really, you know, push myself to do and play best tennis and bring out the best
01:34in me.
01:35And every time, you know, I feel I'm representing the entire country, you know, here in the
01:41tennis journey.
01:42I mean, there's hardly any tennis players coming out of the country so every time we
01:45have big events like this Masters Series or Grand Slams and it says Rohan Bopanna India
01:50and somebody's reading about it, maybe there is some young kid who gets that inspiration
01:54and saying, oh yes, there is an Indian who's playing at these events and, you know, that's
01:59an inspiration for me if maybe somebody does pick up the sport.
02:03What's your biggest memory?
02:05Without a doubt, the 2010 Davis Cup match against Brazil.
02:09India played Brazil, you know, in Chennai and I remember India had not been to the World
02:17Group Playoff for many, many years so, you know, it was amazing to have been part of
02:23that tie.
02:24We were 2-2 down in the first day and then we ended up coming back and winning it 3-2
02:29and I ended up winning that fifth singles match and, you know, truly that has been the
02:34most memorable Davis Cup, you know, victory for me.
02:38And just being around, you know, so many players, different generations, the camaraderie which
02:45I have, you know, learnt, you know, so much from them, being around them and the camaraderie
02:52we shared on and off the court I think is why I love Davis Cup and representing India
02:56for such a long time.
02:58My biggest advice, you know, for the generation who's coming up is not to be hurry in the
03:03process of trying to become a professional athlete.
03:07The journey is extremely difficult, there's a lot of discipline required and it's a long,
03:12long process and just putting in the work day in, day out, I know all the coaches are
03:18telling these kids this but they need to first believe it in themselves before anybody
03:24else around them, you know, are guiding them or supporting them.
03:28So I think the coaches, the parents want them to do well but the number one thing is enjoy
03:34the journey, it is a long process and be happy where you are.