Better With Time
Sports Illustrated India|July 2017

Part of India’s best generation of tennis players, Bopanna was overshadowed by his peers for not having a Grand Slam to his name. No more.

Deepti Patwardhan
Better With Time

AT THE START of 2017, at the Chennai Open, Rohan Bopanna was asked whether time was running out for him to win a Grand Slam—he was 36 at the time. The response was: “Winning a Grand Slam is the toughest thing possible. Actually, even making the Grand Slam draw is something, because we come from a place where there are zero systems in place, fighting through that is already a challenge. As long as I’m fit, I’m playing, I’m fine.”

It has always been about tempered expectations for Bopanna.

Was, until the 37-year-old finally entered the league of Grand Slam champions. Bopanna teamed up with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski to win the French Open mixed doubles title last month. It was the Indian’s 15th year on the pro tour and his second Grand Slam final. And Bopanna-Dabrowski did it the hard way—coming back from a set down and saving two match points to beat Robert Farah and Anna-Lena Grönefeld 2–6, 6–2, 12–10 in the final that lasted 67 minutes.

“Never give up on your dreams. That is something which stands out (in this win),” he said on his arrival home, amidst a clutch of felicitations and well-deserved fame.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2017 من Sports Illustrated India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2017 من Sports Illustrated India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

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