Rohan Bopanna Davis Cup : Rohan Bopanna played his first Davis Cup match in 2002 and brought curtains on a 21-year career with a win in his last match. Bopanna teamed up with Yuki Bhambri to defeat Morocco’s Elliot Benchetri and Younes Laroussi.
Indian legend Rohan Bopanna retired from the Davis Cup after winning the doubles match with Yuki Bhambri at the Lucknow Mini Stadium on Sunday. Tennis player bids farewell to 21-year Davis Cup as fans turn up the heat with Chak de! Bopanna’s brace helped India to a 4-1 draw with Morocco and enter the World Group I finals. Bopanna and his partner Bhambri beat Morocco’s Elliot Benchetrit and Younes Laaroussi 6-2 and 6-1 in one hour and 11 minutes. The 43-year-old duly earned the final point when he played a smart volley from close to the nets to find Benchetri to tap the ball into the net. After that contest, Indian No.1 Sumit Nagal and debutant Digvijay Pratap Singh scored the win to help India beat World Group II side Morocco 4-1. With this win, India qualified for the World Group I playoffs.
Bopanna was unable to play at home in Bengaluru but stated that Lucknow looked more like his home in the final swansong of the tournament. “Today I felt at home when everyone was here to support me. My family, friends and even the fans, everyone cheered me on. It’s an emotional moment for me, I can’t forget this day. It’s been a long and wonderful journey .Davis Cup since I played my first match in 2002. I always tried to give my best for my country. Playing for India has always been the biggest moment of my career, said Bopanna after the win.
The Indian legend draped the tricolor over him and then put the shirt on the tennis court. “The time has come when I have to hand over the place to someone new. There are many young people who are ready to take this place. I will definitely miss all this, but at the same time it gives me the opportunity to spend quality time with my family,” he added After Bopanna’s win, Sumit Nagal defeated Yassine Dlim 6–3 6–3 in the first reverse Singles match to give India an unassailable 3–1 lead. The tie was achieved when Digvijay won a dead rubber 6-1 5-7 10-6 against Walid Ahouda on debut.
