Rohan Bopanna on partnership with Leander Paes : You can't keep dwelling on the past

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

07/15/2016

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna believes that there is no point in thinking about his past problems with Leander Paes and wants to build a good partnership with the veteran for Rio. He also added that India’s hopes of winning a medal in tennis at the Olympics will depend on the draws.

The tennis team for the Rio Olympics was decided last month after a dramatic selection process. Even though Saketh Myneni was Bopanna’s preferred choice, the All India Tennis Association went with six-time Olympian Leander Paes in the men’s doubles event. The pair, who had a troublesome relationship in the past, will be playing in the men’s doubles event of the Davis Cup tie against South Korea from July 15-17 and Bopanna believes that there is no point in dwelling on the past.

You can't keep dwelling on the past. If you keep dwelling on past, you never get positives. "

"You can't keep dwelling on the past. If you keep dwelling on past, you never get positives. You have to look at what is the scenario today and look ahead tomorrow. Today's thing is that me and Leander are going to Rio. We are getting practice and before Rio also we will have four-five days. I am going straight to Rio after Toronto, Leander will also be there. Those few days we will try to get practice as much as we can. And get prepared," Bopanna told PTI in an interaction.

Also, read : Has India lost out on an Olympic medal because of Mirza, Bopanna, and Paes' stubbornness?

When asked how difficult it will be to form a successful partnership after their tussles in the past, Bopanna said that he is professional enough to deal with the situation.

"On the circuit, we change partners very often. So we are used to that. In 2013, I played with Roger Vasselin and made semis in Wimbledon. It's a matter of getting good practice and it could work out. We just have to get right practice and some good communication going on. Understand each other. It will definitely benefit us.

Also, read: Has India's success in Doubles tennis destroyed its Singles hopes?

"The only thing we can do is practice a lot and get used to conditions. Five days is a lot. I am a person who can move on. Certain things happen but you keep moving on. The wins and losses also help that. Sometimes you lose a close match but next week it's a fresh tournament. Every day is a new day. We have to overcome these challenges.

When we go into a tournament, I am not just looking at winning a bronze medal. Either I am going all the way to top or not go at all. The goal is to do the best we can."

"We have to find a way, communicate well. Like talking on the court, discussing what we have to do, how we have to plan strategy. How we have to combine as a team and gel together," he said.

Also, read: Leander Paes - Rohan Bopanna | A disaster in the making?

Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna have played in a total of six matches together, enjoying a 50%-win record. Although their record is not great, Bopanna believes that India’s hopes of winning a medal in tennis at the Olympics will depend on the draws.

"When we go into a tournament, I am not just looking at winning a bronze medal. Either I am going all the way to top or not go at all. The goal is to do the best we can. We have to take one match at a time. The competition is very high. We are hoping to be seeded. Also, we need a little luck in the draw. That's part of whole thing," Bopanna told PTI.

Also, read: The legend of Leander Paes - 5 unique records of the Olympian