From Sania Mirza to Sachin Tendulkar... India's sporting legends celebrated tennis star Rohan Bopanna's historic feat.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00I really, you know, push myself to do and play best tennis and bring out the best in
00:17me.
00:41There is no other bigger feeling than, you know, having a jersey where your country's,
00:47you know, written at the back of your shirt.
00:50And I think every athlete wants to represent their country and in my case, representing
00:55India for 21 years in, you know, Davis Cup, though, you know, when we were playing on
01:01the ATP circuit, the jerseys doesn't say India, but I'm still very much representing the country.
01:08And that I think is the biggest motivation and, you know, every single opportunity I've
01:13got, whether it was Davis Cup, Asian Games, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, I think there
01:18was a, when I was the team competition was there, I really enjoyed it.
01:22And I really, you know, push myself to do and play best tennis and bring out the best
01:29in me.
01:30And every time, you know, I feel I'm representing the entire country, you know, here in the
01:36tennis journey.
01:37I mean, there's hardly any tennis players coming out of the country.
01:39So every time we have big events like this Masters Series or Grand Slams and it says
01:44Rohan Bhopana India and somebody's reading about it, maybe there is some young kid who
01:48gets that inspiration and saying, oh yes, there is an Indian who's playing at these
01:52events and, you know, that's an inspiration for me if maybe somebody does pick up the
01:58sport.
01:59What's your biggest memory?
02:00Without a doubt, the 2010 Davis Cup match against Brazil.
02:04India played Brazil, you know, in Chennai.
02:08And I remember India had not been to the World Group Playoff for many, many years.
02:14So, you know, it was amazing to have been part of the tie.
02:19We were love two down in the first day and then we ended up coming back and winning it
02:23three to one.
02:24I ended up winning that fifth singles match and, you know, truly that has been the most
02:30memorable Davis Cup, you know, victory for me.
02:33And just being around, you know, so many players, different generations, the camaraderie
02:39which I have, you know, learnt, you know, so much from them, being around them and the
02:47camaraderie we shared on and off the court, I think is why I love Davis Cup and representing
02:51India for such a long time.
02:53My biggest advice, you know, for the generation who's coming up is not to be hurry in the
02:58process of trying to become a professional athlete.
03:02The journey is extremely difficult.
03:04There's a lot of discipline required.
03:07And it's a long, long process and just putting in the work day in, day out.
03:12I know all the coaches are telling these kids this, but they need to first believe it in
03:17themselves before anybody else around them, you know, are guiding them or supporting them.
03:23So I think the coaches, the parents want them to do well, but the number one thing is enjoy
03:29the journey.
03:30It is a long process and be happy where you are.